The Shape of Things to Come - Centre for Seniors
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15 OCTOBER 2017
60 CENTS
MCI (P) 102/12/2016
The Shape
of Things
to Come
Things may be shaking up in the
new-age workplace. So why not tap
on the Labour Movement’s network of
partners to get that edge you need?
Pre-ODC Picture
Special! Can you
spot your photo?
Check out the newly
refreshed MyNTUC
mobile app for the
latest news, deals
and happenings!
FDAWU forms an
alliance with a
U Associate partner
to give food-industry
workers a boost.
2 U NETWORK NTUC This Week 15 OCTOBER 2017
Thriving
in a
New
Age of
Work
With an expanded network that includes SMEs and business
guilds, unions can have their pick of partners to help workers
flourish in today’s challenging work environment.
By Jonathan Tan
W
e live in fast-changing times, need to extend our network beyond just the
where technology plays a pivotal unionised sectors.
role in either enhancing our
ability to complete our day-to-day tasks at
“Engaging the U Associates, workers
in small- and medium-sized enterprises, Unity is Strength
work, or completely disrupting the process. migrant workers and the self-employed who By Fawwaz Baktee
We can choose to either disrupt or be work in these sectors will enable us to deep
disrupted. In opting for the former, the dive into the sectors to work on getting our
A
Labour Movement has been prepping itself workers future ready,” said NTUC Assistant n alliance has been formed between the
to be relevant. Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong. Food, Drinks and Allied Workers’ Union
While advancing the interests of workers (FDAWU) and the Singapore Institute of
in Singapore remains its sole mission, the LEVERAGING THE NETWORK Food Science and Technology (SIFST), an NTUC
Labour Movement has had to adapt to keep When asked how such collaborations U Associate. Both parties will work together to
pace with an evolving worker demographic. could materialise between unions and upskill and reskill food industry workers, entrench
Labour Movement partners, NTUC career pathways, and encourage innovation among
FIVE COMPLEMENTARY LIMBS Assistant Director-General Vivek Kumar companies.
This evolution has seen the Labour said the unions’ excellent mobilisation The partnership was formalised at the SIFST
Movement grow from a single rank- structure through their branches and Food Product Awards 2017 held on 11 October
and-file union limb to a network of five strong industrial relations expertise 2017 at the Carlton Hotel. NTUC Deputy
complementary limbs to look after the can be supported by the industrial Secretary-General (DSG) Heng Chee How graced
needs of an ever-evolving workforce. knowledge, professional networks and skills the event as guest of honour.
This includes professionals, business development available through the In his speech, DSG Heng (pictured below, right)
owners, freelancers and the self-employed, U Associates. said the alliance brings together the “complementary
as well as domestic employees and migrant An example of this is the recent strengths of two key Labour Movement sections –
workers. Union-U Associate alliance between the union and U Associate, to promote growth within the
Another limb is the U Associate, Healthcare Services Employees’ Union food and beverage sector.”
a network of professional guilds and and Association of Psychotherapists and
associations that shares the interest of Counsellors Singapore. For a start, the
advancing workers with the development of strategic partnership will see both parties
skills and network opportunities. work together to create greater awareness of
mental wellness and boost the recognition
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE of professionals such as counsellors and
Given the extent of the Labour Movement’s psychotherapists.
network, collaborations can go a long “Each union is also supported by an
way in helping workers cope with current account manager from NTUC Membership’s
challenges and harnessing opportunities Organising Resource Centre who will be able
amidst changing times. to assist in different areas of membership
“Unions have a penetration of more than growth and value creation,” added Mr Vivek,
500,000 members across various sectors pointing out other avenues of collaboration
and industries, but there are over 3 million within the Labour Movement network such
working people in Singapore. For the Labour as U Associates and with U Startup. (See this
Movement to have in-depth knowledge of and the facing page for examples of some of
issues facing workers in the industry, we these outcomes).
NTUC This Week 15 OCTOBER 2017 U NETWORK 3
Partnerships for Progress
A number of unions have seen collaborated with NTUC’s Organising Resource Centre and
U Startup to organise “Engaging & Teaching Generation Z”
the value of tapping the Labour on 6 October 2017 at ITE College West. The seminar was
Movement’ network to further their organised to give union members a better perspective on Gen
members’ cause. Among them, Z students and how to better engage them in the classroom.
gaining new insights on what the
TAPPING THE NETWORK
future holds and how members can be At the event, 22-year-old Jayren Teo from StartupHax, a U
better prepared for what lies ahead. Startup partner, was invited to give his take on the typical
characteristics of a Gen Z student with some 100 union
Story and Photo by Jonathan Tan
members and ITE College West management partners, many
of them lecturers.
B
eyond organisations and businesses, the “It was good to disrupt ourselves by getting a Gen
prevalence of technology is also changing the way Z speaker to share perspectives, and have booths that
today’s youths live and learn. Since today’s youths, showcased what this new generation of students are into,
dubbed Gen Z, are increasingly technology-savvy and such as doodling, virtual reality and cosplay. This helps
enterprising, the methods of engaging them will have to give our members a better perspective of just what this
evolve as well. new generation of students are about, and find out how to
“The thing that will disrupt us here in the Institutes of understand and engage them,” said Mr Tan.
Technical Education is the next generation of students, This was the second such engagement the union has
namely Gen Z students born from 1995 onwards,” said done with the Labour Movement network. An earlier session
Union of ITE Training Staff (UITS) College West Chairman was organised in 2016 with NTUC’s e2i (Employment and
William Tan. Employability Institute) on how to tap the Union Training
With strong management support, the union recently Assistance Programme and SkillsFuture Credit.
FOOD INNOVATION
EXCHANGE
Under the alliance, FDAWU
and SIFST will be rolling out
programmes through the Food
Innovation Exchange (FIE)
initiative in 2018.
The FIE will support the growth
of the Singapore food industry
through roundtable talks and
cross-training that focus on the
newest technologies, innovations,
trends and best practices.
FDAWU and SIFST will also
encourage companies to embrace
progressive and conducive workplace
practices. Additionally, they will
work with institutes of higher Preparing Education and Training Academy on 9
October 2017.
Tomorrow’s
learning to conduct a career fair for Centred around the topics of global
diploma graduates in food science disruption and the future of work, the forum
and technology in February 2018. saw speakers such as Vincent Quah, business
“Through the partnership,
industry professionals can look Workers Today lead for education, not-for-profit at Amazon
Web Services, and Wendy Lai, SEA strategy
& operations leader and partner at Deloitte
forward to benefits in the areas
of upskilling, enriching their Consulting SEA, share their perspectives on the
Story and Photo by Jonathan Tan
skills mastery and advancing their leading innovations shaking up the economy.
Over 240 participants attended the forum,
A
careers. Together, we can be a
bigger voice and provide stronger ccording to Ngee Ann Polytechnic including NPASU members, union leaders from
support to our working people,” Academic Staff Union (NPASU) the NTUC Education Cluster as well as staff and
said FDAWU General Secretary President Tan Choi Heng, as academics, management from the polytechnic.
Tan Hock Soon. part of our role is in equipping our students
SIFST President Richard Khaw with the right skills and knowledge to FUTURE PLANS
added: “Collaboration and alliance seamlessly enter their future careers. We must Mr Tan also shared how the NPASU has
are keys to progress in this fast- also understand what is happening so that been closely partnering NTUC’s Organising
moving economy and era of digital when we lecture, conduct tutorials and plan our Resource Centre and Ong Teng Cheong
transformation. SIFST looks curriculum, it is attuned and aligned with the Labour Leadership Institute to prepare union
forward to more opportunities to developments happening in industry.” members for the future. He also hopes to be
work with members of the Labour To this end, NPASU and NTUC U Future able to collaborate with NTUC U Associate on
Movement family.” Leaders supported “CET & Beyond”, a forum training and talks which will be of relevance to
organised by the polytechnic’s Continuing members.
4 PRE-ODC NTUC This Week 15 OCTOBER 2017
NTUC Pre-Ordinary Delegates’
The conference sees the Labour
Movement discuss issues to prepare
for the years to come.
By Fawwaz Baktee
A
bout 700 participants comprising union leaders and Labour
Movement partners from U Associate, U SME, U FSE, as well as
NTUC social enterprises and related organisations, gathered for
NTUC’s Pre-Ordinary Delegates’ Conference (ODC).
The conference was held on 12 October 2017 at the Suntec Convention
and Exhibition Centre and was the first time the partners participated in a
delegates’ conference organised by NTUC.
Themed “Strong, Representative and Relevant Labour Movement”, the
event was held to prepare the Labour Movement for the NTUC Ordinary
Delegates’ Conference in November 2017.
In his opening address, NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing
touched on the Labour Movement’s need to continue to be relevant and
representative amidst challenging times.
“Our aims have not changed. Our mission to serve the working people
has not changed, but our ways to serve the working people must constantly
evolve. The working people we are talking about are not just the 30 per
cent rank-and-file. We are also talking about 70 per cent of the workforce,
regardless of whether you call them PMETs (professionals, managers,
executives and technicians), freelancers or SME (small- and medium-sized
enterprise) workers. As long as they collect a paycheck, we need to serve
them. We need to focus on remaining progressive and keep reinventing
ourselves, just as we have done in the past,” he said.
At various workshops, participants took stock of existing efforts,
discussed current challenges and what more the Labour Movement can
do to help different worker segments, including rank-and-file workers,
professionals, freelancers and migrant workers.
Topics of discussion included worker-representation, network growth,
training efforts and workforce mobilisation.
NTUC This Week 15 OCTOBER 2017 PRE-ODC 5
Conference 2017
U Associate partners discuss
different topics such as network
growth and training.
Delegates give the new and
improved MyNTUC app a try.
6 AEROSPACE INDUSTRY NTUC This Week 15 OCTOBER 2017
One hotel has gone
Soaring to beyond having a
New Heights
big heart to setting
up structured
programmes to
build careers for
Have a passion for aviation but lack the
special needs
qualifications? Find out how one individual saw his
workers.
career take off with the Professional Conversion
Programme for the Aerospace Industry. Story and Photo by
Jonathan Tan
Story and Photo by Fawwaz Baktee
Guan Chau Kok, 29, has been working in the hotel for almost four years and loving every
moment of it thanks to colleagues he regards as friends.
Celebrating
Difference
A
s part of InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) commitment
to celebrate difference, we believe in extending fair and equal
opportunities to our colleagues, and providing an enabling
environment for individuals with special needs,” shared Gabrielle Choy,
area director for human resources at IHG Singapore, Malaysia and
Batam.
In the last 10 years, this culture of inclusiveness has seen IHG
H
e may only have a primary school certificate, but that did not stop properties in Singapore develop structured work experience and
41-year-old Alan Yeo from pursuing his passion for aviation and employment programmes to equip special needs individuals with
carving out a career in the industry. the necessary skills for full-time employment. In fact, they have
Although he worked with several aviation companies over the years, been partnering organisations such as the Association for Persons
Mr Yeo lacked the qualifications to prove his ability as an aviation plant with Special Needs and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of
technician. All that changed when he came across the Professional Conversion Singapore on these programmes.
Programme (PCP) for the Aerospace Industry earlier this year. The group’s managers are also trained to adequately support these
“A friend of mine was already in the programme. He told me that he individuals at work.
was currently being employed by an aviation company and studying to “Our human resources team places great emphasis on raising
get qualified to be a technician. Studying on a full-time basis while getting awareness about the effective ways to communicate with the
employed was something I’ve never heard of before so I gave it a try,” said individuals, including being patient and checking on them regularly to
Mr Yeo. understand the challenges they encounter at work,” added Ms Choy,
The company his friend found employment in was GE Aviation, Engine who is also director of human resources at InterContinental Singapore.
Services – Singapore (GE Aviation, Singapore), a company that works
closely with the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union A DIFFERENCE MADE
(SISEU), and an early adopter of the PCP. Guan Chau Kok, 29, is one such employee who is enthusiastic about his
An initiative by Workforce Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic, the PCP work at the InterContinental Singapore, a unionised company.
helps mid-career switchers and technicians reskill and be up to date with the “I like working here because I get to earn my own money. Everyone
aviation industry. here are also my friends. And I like Shao Wei, my supervisor, because
he takes care of me,” he said.
MAKING THE LEAP Having been with the hotel for nearly four years, Chau Kok may
Mr Yeo embarked on the PCP with GE Aviation, Singapore in May 2017, have gotten used to his day-to-day work as a houseman. Even so,
along with 29 other individuals. In August 2017, he received his Singapore Supervisor Ren Shao Wei still makes an extra effort to look after him
Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Higher Certificate in Aerospace (Engine and explain new tasks simply and patiently.
Repair and Overhaul) with Temasek Polytechnic and is now doing on-the-job “Everyone here will look out for Chau Kok. When he’s doing his
training with the company. cleaning work along the corridors, we will all give way to him,” he said.
“My role as a technician is to repair components of the engine. I’ve always
wanted to learn how different parts of an aviation engine work, and the PCP
gave me a holistic understanding,” said Mr Yeo. I am proud to be working in InterContinental
NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and SISEU have Singapore, where my special needs colleagues
also been actively helping the company place suitable jobseekers for the PCP. receive the same care and benefits that all other
Looking ahead, Mr Yeo hopes to see more Singaporeans come into the
employees enjoy. We ensure that our special-needs
industry as he believes it has good job prospects. With his new qualifications,
colleagues are treated in the same way whilst making
he wants to be able to do a diploma related to his job. GE Aviation, Singapore
also has a scheme that sponsors its employees to further their studies. concessions if they require special arrangements such
“Actually, I have the interest to further my education, but at the same time as flexible working hours.”
I need to support my family. So if the company supports me, I will gladly take Food, Drinks and Allied Workers’ Union Vice-President Susan Lee
it up,” said Mr Yeo.
NTUC This Week 15 OCTOBER 2017 UNIONS 7
First Batch of A
t a convocation, 26 business leaders graduated on 9 October 2017
from the one-year Executive Development Programme (Mandarin)
by U SME and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). This
SME Leaders marked the first batch of graduates since the programme, aimed at future-
proofing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), was announced in
Graduate from U
December last year.
SUSS President Cheong Hee Kiat and NTUC Assistant Director-General
(ADG) and Director of U SME Yeo Guat Kwang presented certificates to the
SME-SUSS Course graduands at the venue.
In a welcome address, ADG Yeo urged attendees to continue learning to
stay ahead of fast-changing consumer demands and economic uncertainties.
Bosses open up about their learning KEY TAKEAWAYS
experiences from the one-year course, Speaking in Mandarin, Director of Pyrotech Edmund Toh (pictured left)
which included topics from shared shared: “What I cherish most is the friendships. It is rare for SME bosses
to get together and exchange pointers. Although we are from different
economy to fintech. industries, business philosophies and good practices are applicable for all.
Story and Photo by Avelyn Ng
Several of us are inspired to collaborate or restructure our businesses. Moving
forward, we are thinking of setting up an alumni group so we can grow our
network.”
Another course participant benefitted differently.
“As the second generation business owner, I find it difficult at times to
convince the management to make certain decisions because for so many
years, they have been running the business using their methods. Through
this course, I am able to communicate with my parents better by exploring
the new concepts with the older classmates here and understanding their
perspectives first.
“It is also good to keep myself updated on the market conditions and
technological disruptions so I can bring them back to my company. I’ll
strongly encourage my parents to join the next intake,” said 33-year-old
Managing Director of MTM Skincare Kelly Keak (pictured left).
Interested parties can e-mail sme@ntuc.org.sg or call 6248 0380 for more
information on U SME-SUSS Executive Development Programme.
Finance for
the Future
Accountancy professionals
can now look forward to a
slew of courses from a new
programme to gear up for
tomorrow’s work landscape.
By Avelyn Ng
T
he Finance for the Future programme for accounting professionals to add value and connected and competitive in both global
was launched by U Associate CPA become holistic, trusted business advisors to and local markets. The U Circle of Friends
Australia at the CPA Congress on 11 stay relevant. engages multinational corporations and forms
October 2017 in the presence of some 480 This comes on the back of a new survey communities to assess gaps, develop local
accountancy industry professionals. by CPA Australia and Ernst & Young which talents, and further strengthen the Singaporean
The programme consists of a suite of 20 revealed that eight in 10 finance leaders will not leadership core,” he said.
courses spanning finance operations and be equipped to meet the demands of their jobs
business operations across different levels. It is in 10 years’ time.
specially designed to help participants move up Additionally, six in 10 found the current
the career ladder through expanding technical curriculum offered by educational and
and business competencies. professional bodies inadequate to develop
GOOD TO KNOW
Supported by NTUC’s e2i (Employment and future-ready skills. A similar number said their Register for any three courses in the Finance for
Employability Institute), Singaporeans and organisations are not helping them to do so. the Future programme by 30 November 2017
permanent residents are eligible for training According to DSG Heng, the Labour to enjoy 30 per cent off selected online courses
under CPA Australia.
subsidies of over 40 per cent of the course fees. Movement has been working hard to help
professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) All Finance for the Future courses are delivered
in a full-day workshop format at the CPA
UPSKILLING OPPORTUNITIES acquire deep regional knowledge. Australia Singapore office. For more information,
With smart software increasingly eradicating “Through various networks such as U visit www.cpaaustralia.com.au/training-and-
complex, multiphase or manual processes, Associate, we have a large ecosystem of events/singapore-pd/finance-for-the-future/
business-operations.
Guest-of-Honour NTUC Deputy Secretary- both international and local professional
General Heng Chee How highlighted the need associations to help our PMEs remain
8 SELF-EMPLOYED NTUC This Week 15 OCTOBER 2017
Driving Things Forward
Future Outlook:
Start Imagining Today!
The National Private Hire Vehicles Using sight to hear, owning a phone that
dissolves in water, and eating your own
Association elects a new executive food wrappers … Madness and genius come
committee and paves the way for stronger together with these new inventions.
membership growth and relationships. Look out for more in this regular column.
By Fawwaz Baktee
By Fawwaz Baktee
Seeing Sounds
Sudden noises allow us to react faster to a situation coming from a
particular direction. But those with hearing problems may sometimes miss
out on what’s being said to them or alert them to events occurring nearby.
To help this group of people, students from the Singapore University
of Technology and Design have designed a clip-on accessory for glasses
called Peri, which turns nearby sounds into flashing lights that appear on
the left or right lens, depending on where the sound is coming from and
its loudness.
Although it's still a prototype, the design was so good it won an
engineering award called the James Dyson Award earlier this year.
We think this may also be good for people who are permanently
plugged into their headphones (yeah, you know who you are).
T
he National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) appointed Source: mashable.com
its new executive committee at the association’s inaugural General
Convention of Delegates on 4 October 2017 at D’Resort.
The new committee will take over from the pro tem executive committee,
which steered the association since it was formally established in May
Green Smartphone
This smartphone is easy to use and ethically made, with production
2016. The new committee will hold a four-year term of office until 2021.
minerals coming from approved mines.
Pro tem Committee Member Mohamad Azan Salleh will take over
Its parts can also be easily
the role of president from Harry Koh. Shawn Ng, who was the pro tem
repaired as every modular piece
general secretary, will retain the position. William Ong will replace pro
is replaceable, so there is no need
tem General Treasurer Mohammad Ashiq, while pro tem Committee
to replace the entire phone when
Member Kevin Ang will take on the role of deputy president.
something breaks down. Its cover is
“The new committee will focus on bringing in more members so that
also completely dissolvable in water.
we can better represent drivers and gather more feedback to better serve
Called Fairphone, it started out
them. The association will continue to look for more like-minded drivers
as a project to demonstrate how phones could be built to minimise waste
who have the heart to serve fellow drivers and give them the opportunity
and made with materials from ethical sources.
to contribute to the association,” said Mr Ng.
Its makers, also known as Fairphone, intended the project to prove
that creating an environmentally friendly phone is feasible.
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
While the company doesn’t intend to compete with phone giants like
Delivering the general secretary report, Mr Ng revealed that the
Apple or Samsung, it’s certain that there is market demand for ethical
association has grown to 3,652 members as of 1 October 2017, up from
smartphones. Now we can stay connected to the world, and do our part to
the 23 members when it was first formed in 2016. The association aims to
save the environment – how cool is that?
achieve a membership of 5,000 by the end of the year.
“In its 18 months, NPHVA has organised outreach efforts at areas Source: www.fairphone.com
where we could find drivers. However, we soon realised that we needed to
increase our presence as we could only be at one place at a time. That was
why we created an online sign up on Facebook. We were also in touch with Edible Plastic, Anyone?
Grab, whom we found was committed to caring for its drivers,” he said. Eat your food wrappers instead of throwing them away? Your friends
might think you’re siao, but wait, read on…
FORGING TIES A whopping 8 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in our seas
In his speech, NPHVA Executive Advisor S Thiagarajan said that stronger each year. So Evoware, an Indonesian conservation enterprise, plans to
ties between the National Taxi Association (NTA) and NPHVA need to be reduce this number by making food packages edible.
forged moving forward. The company makes edible packages out of
“Taxi and ride-sharing companies are getting into strategic seaweed, which could be used for anything from coffee
partnerships. There are calls to level the playing field between taxis and sachets to burger wrappers. They’ve even created
private hire vehicles. Eventually, there could be a single vocational licence drinking cups and plates from the material.
for both types of vehicles. If you’re worried that the taste could affect your
“In the longer term, say in the next 10 to 15 years, autonomous dining experience, don’t. The edible plastic is virtually
vehicles will impact both private hire vehicles and taxis. These are issues tasteless and has very little calories to boot! Yay! No
of common concern to both NPHVA and NTA. We need to forge ties, more searching high and low for that elusive dustbin to
exchange information and find the best way forward to address issues of trash our food wrappers.
mutual concern,” he said. Source: www.evoware.id
More to
MyNTUC
Missing out on the latest news,
Enjoy on privileges and events from NTUC?
Download MyNTUC app now, plus be
Upgraded privy to everything meant just for U!
MyNTUC
App
Gain access to events and redeem special deals
in a flash – these are just some exciting new
features that have arrived on the refreshed
MyNTUC mobile application.
By Avelyn Ng
W
ith the goal of working towards a Smart Nation, more Singaporeans are taking up
on-the-go lifestyle solutions. To provide better services to everyone, NTUC has
recently enhanced the MyNTUC mobile application to provide greater value and
convenience with these key features.
EVENT REGISTRATION
Beyond letting you know the latest happenings within the Labour Movement, you can also
register for events and refer them to your friends. Simply make the necessary payment and
get your virtual ticket instantly in your eWallet. Like buying movie tickets online, you can
skip the long queues on the event day and simply scan the QR code on the e-ticket to register
your attendance.
SHOPPING DEALS
This could well be your favourite shopping companion real soon! Don’t miss the special deals Reasons to download now!
coming to the new eCoupons section in the months to come. Besides exclusive birthday
treats, there are also promotional coupon codes to use at e-marketplaces and flash-to-redeem 1 eCoupons
A special feature, just for U — Download and redeem
in-store offers from various merchants. NTUC members can view all available promotions
exclusive giveaways and discounts online or in-store.
under the Privileges section.
ENGAGEMENT TOOLS 2 Exclusive Privileges
Membership certainly comes with perks — look out
Union leaders, you will get the extra perk of using the eCoupons as a free marketing for birthday treats, special offers and promotions,
platform. You will also be given access to roll out customised promotions for your members, brought to you on the go.
so start thinking about what you can do today! As champions for workers’ issues, you
3 eTickets for Events
also need regular feedback from your members – something you can do with the Polls
function. You can even choose to survey specific groups. Handy, isn’t it? Register and purchase tickets for events anytime,
anywhere and save them in your eWallet for
BROWSING EXPERIENCE simple and fast retrieval!
For news buffs out there, you may enjoy browsing the improved News section interface. The
clean, modular display and user-friendly scroll-down navigation will have you exploring top
4 Exclusive News
Catch up on the latest Labour Movement-related
stories, media releases and videos all day, every day.
news, on an enhanced interface.
Executive committee members and branch officials, there is something extra for you too.
Think an exclusive “Union Leaders Only” section with curated news and resources on the go.
5 eWallet
Other useful features — Check LinkPoints and UTAP
MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE
balances.
In case you have forgotten, there are also essential membership functions you cannot do
without. Need to lodge an employment-related issue? Submit a form through the Workplace
Advisory section and an officer will attend to you shortly. 6 Workplace Advisory
Union members, get advice and assistance on
Want to know what your LinkPoints and Union Training Assistance Programme balances
workplace issues and employment-related matters.
are? Simply click on eWallet and find out what you have in an instant!
Try It!
Before you get too excited, do remember to login with your NRIC and password on
Coming Soon!
the app to access all the features. Don’t have a U Portal account? Register for one at Look out for more exciting new features
http://bit.ly/1RBlZWf to get started. in our next upgrade!
MyNTUC app is available for download on both Google Play and App Store. We hear
there are more features to come. Stay tuned!
10 YOUNG ACTIVIST NTUC This Week 15 OCTOBER 2017
Staying Connected
to the Ground
Meet youth activist
Priyalata Pillay, who is
one of the many looking
out for young workers and
the vulnerable in society.
Story by Ramesh Subbaraman
Photo by Jonathan Tan
Y
ou may have unknowingly spoken to
her over the phone on one of those
occasions when things go wrong with
your Internet connection.
Meet 31-year-old Singtel Team Leader
Priyalata Pillay, who is one of the many voices
behind the phone taking care of your issues.
For Priyalata, volunteering in union work
has always been an extension of the listening
ear she provides to irate customers.
She likes to listen in on what unions are doing
to help workers so that she can recommend fresh
ideas to colleagues at the Union of Telecoms
Employees of Singapore (UTES).
Priyalata has been a UTES member for the
Volunteering is for no financial gain
past three years. but the benefit of another person or
JOURNEY IN YOUNG NTUC
organisation. It develops skills and improves
However, she is relatively new in Young NTUC, the quality of life."
having joined in February 2017.
One of her first events was the Young NTUC
Workplan Seminar at Ho Chi Minh City in
March 2017. develops skills and improves the quality of CONCERN FOR YOUNGER WORKERS
“I met many young union leaders and found life. I am very fortunate that I have a very She also worries about the younger generation
out how they dealt with members’ issues, fulfilled life, a good job, a great family, and of workers.
especially grievances. The trip also gave me a friends. I think that in the current world She shared that those who are not
chance to understand Singapore’s role in regional where a lot of emphasis is put on money, prepared for the future job market have only
development and how one can prepare for the career and status, there is a risk that people themselves to blame.
opportunities in the future,” shared Priyalata. can become totally self-absorbed and “It is bad news for those who are
On the ground, volunteering has brought her uncaring. unprepared for the future and do not update
closer to low-income families and the youth. “Volunteering is an opportunity for me to themselves to stay relevant. We need to
While she got to know their needs, it also give something back to society and a way of upgrade our skills every now and then.
gave her the chance to reach out to fellow young sharing with others. I wish to help more low- “We can attend courses to stay updated. As
workers to join the union movement. income families and elderly, and I hope Young union members, we can make use of the Union
“Volunteering is for no financial gain but the NTUC will incorporate more volunteer work Training Assistance Programme to fund the
benefit of another person or organisation. It also for people like me,” said Priyalata. courses,” said Priyalata.
NTUC THIS WEEK
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The Labour Movement, Now Closer To U On The Go!
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Find out more about the Labour Movement at www.ntuc.org.sg. For views and opinions, drop by our blog at www.labourbeat.org.
IOS ANDROID
© Copyright 2017 The publisher owns the copyright to all photographs and articles in this publication. No photograph or article may be reproduced in part or in full without the consent of the publisher.In Addition
Snapshots
A quick round up of what went on in and around FOR UNION LEADERS
the Labour Movement recently. What you need to know about the
new version of MyNTUC app.
Compiled by Fawwaz Baktee and Jonathan Tan
ESU: Jumping into Action
The Education Services Union
(ESU), Ministry of Manpower
(MOM) and Early Childhood
Development Agency (ECDA) have
been working together to help
workers affected by the closure
of four preschool centres under
Friedrich Frobel Holding. The last
day of operations for the four
centres was 12 October 2017.
MOM, ESU and Central
Provident Fund (CPF) Board will be assisting staff who are still owed salaries and CPF
contributions.
ESU will take on the additional role of helping affected staff find new jobs and has
enlisted the help of NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute).
“We are also currently assisting 10 union members with their salary claims
and union dues to ensure that they continue to have access to NTUC’s full suite of
benefits,” said ESU President Calista Geraldine Roch.
NTUC FairPrice Walk for Rice
This year’s NTUC FairPrice Walk for Rice @
South East aims to raise 500,000 bowls of
brown rice to benefit 7,000 underprivileged
families in the south-east district.
Main Features
Jointly organised by NTUC FairPrice
and South East Community Development
1 eCoupons
A special feature — your union can now personalise
and customise exclusive giveaways and discounts for
Council at Bedok Town Square on 5 October
members, which can be redeemed online or in-store.
2017, the mission is to get the residents in
the community to clock a total of 50,000km
through a combination of walking activities
at selected FairPrice outlets and purchase of 2 Polls
Want to get instant feedback from your union
selected products. members on a certain issue? The Poll feature lets you
In support of the national fight against diabetes, FairPrice also launched a public do just that!
education campaign with in-store collaterals and will be giving 10 per cent discount on
three FairPrice housebrand wholegrain rice products until 18 October 2017.
3 eCheck
Get on-the-spot, instantaneous updates on your
union members’ membership status.
NTWU Scholarship & Bursary Awards
Ceremony 4 Exclusive Content Section
Only you as a union leader gets to see this! Get
The National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) special content meant just for you.
disbursed more than $100,000 worth of
scholarships, bursaries and awards to some 300
children of union members on 7 October 2017 at
the Singapore Polytechnic Convention Centre.
The union also introduced the Sunshine
Award for members’ children who study in special
education schools at the ceremony.
Since 1982, NTWU has given out more than Coming Soon!
$3.8 million worth of scholarships and bursaries
Look out for more exciting new features
to support the studies of members' children.
“This year, the union raised the income in our next upgrade!
qualification to benefit more members and their families. I hope all recipients will
cherish the awards and I wish them all the best in their education journey,” said NTWU
Executive Secretary Melvin Yong in a Facebook post.What’s Thrilling Treats
Happening
Downtown East is holding Singapore’s first Halloween
party in partnership with Eventz1 International. The key
highlight of the Singapore Halloween Festival (SHF) at
Wild Wild Wet is Panic in the Park, where participants
Where
have to escape the undead in a 5km fun run and
wade into Wild Wild Wet’s lazy river for safety! Families
with young ones can opt for a shorter route of 1.5km.
After the race, arm yourself with weapons and put
your skills to the test at the Zombie Maze obstacle
Compiled by Avelyn Ng course, or cool off at any of the water attractions.
The night looks set to end on a high note with the
Monster’s Ball featuring top deejays in the region!
4 Nov 2017, Downtown East, Wild Wild Wet. NTUC Plus!
& nEbO members: $70, Public: $80, Adult-child pair:
$125. To find out more and purchase tickets, visit
www.usports.com.sg/events/panic-in-the-park.
Tech for Seniors
Active agers, fretting about how to
transfer money or book a taxi from
mobile applications? Well, worry no
more because U Live Symposium 2017
is back to help you pick up smartphone
basics and tips to stay safe online. There
will also be fun engagement activities
for participants, including a virtual reality
experience and the transformation of
hand-drawn art into 3D prints.
26 Nov 2017, 9am to 4pm, Downtown East. $18 inclusive of goodie bag. NTUC members
will receive 100 LinkPoints. For registration, visit www.apactix.com/events/detail/u-live-
symposium-2017 or email events@ulive.com.sg.
Future-proof Yourself
As part of the month-long Lifelong Learning
Festival organised by the Lifelong Learning
Council, there will be a host of educational Jobs Galore
digital workshops ranging from drone flying Thanks to a job fair organised by NTUC’s
to make-your-own smart wearable device. e2i (Employment and Employability
Be sure to register early to reserve your slot. Institute), Singaporean jobseekers can
Also, head over to NTUC LearningHub’s check out over 1,500 vacancies across
booth to find out how you make use of various positions, levels, and a wide
various subsidies to participate in the range of industries. Admission is by pre-
two-day SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace registration only, so be sure to indicate
course for free! your interest by 30 October 2017, 12pm!
28 Oct 2017, 10am to 5pm, Devan Nair 31 Oct 2017, 10am to 4pm, Bishan
Employment & Employability Institute. Community Club multi-purpose hall.
For registration, visit bit.ly/2ycKvh9. For more information and registration,
Learn more about SFDW at visit event.e2i.com.sg/bishan or call
courses.ntuclearninghub.com/browse/
6474 0606.
workplace-skills/programs/skillsfuture-
for-digital-workplace-sfdw.You can also read
