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PAP MPs attack WP Gerald Giam in Parliament over NTUC independence from ruling party

During the Platform Workers Bill debate on Monday (9 Sept), PAP MPs clashed with Gerald Giam, MP for Aljunied GRC, over his call for the NTUC to maintain independence from the PAP. Giam argued that the NTUC’s current symbiotic relationship with the ruling party undermines its effectiveness. PAP MP Christopher de Souza interrupted, accusing Giam of diverting focus from the Bill to attack the NTUC.

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SINGAPORE: Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) clashed with Mr Gerald Giam, MP for Aljunied GRC from the Workers’ Party (WP), over his criticism of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and its close relationship with the PAP.

During the debate on the Platform Workers Bill, Mr. Giam argued that NTUC should be independent rather than maintaining its current symbiotic relationship with the PAP.

Midway through Mr Giam’s speech, PAP MP Christopher de Souza from Holland–Bukit Timah GRC interrupted, accusing him of using the debate to attack NTUC rather than focusing on the Bill.

Leader of the House Indranee Rajah also contributed to the debate, noting that close ties between unions and political parties are common in democracies worldwide, such as in the UK, US, and Canada.

She pointed out that Mr Giam’s call for union independence from political parties is inconsistent with practices in other democracies.

In response, Mr Giam acknowledged the global context but argued that while UK unions may support the Labour Party, they do not have the same level of symbiotic relationship with their political parties as NTUC does with the PAP in Singapore.

He emphasised that the WP supports a tripartite dialogue among employers, unions, and the government but not with any specific political party.

Mr Giam highlighted the need for unions to be independent and nonpartisan to better represent workers’ interests.

Meanwhile, Speaker Seah Kian Peng emphasised the importance of sticking to the relevance of the topic being debated, as per Standing Order Section 50.

Pritam Singh, Leader of Opposition also weighed in, noting that political remarks should be consistently applied and citing a previous instance where Mr. de Souza spoke on leadership transitions during a budget debate. Singh argued that PAP members should reflect on their own practices.

“I think the salutary message you provided at the end is important because it cannot be just accusations made at the opposition, but I think some PAP members ought to reflect on themselves, ” said Mr Singh.

In response, Mr De Souza justifying his earlier speech on leadership transitions by arguing that strong leadership is crucial for effective governance, including budgetary matters.

He insisted that his speech was relevant to the budget debate, in contrast to what he perceived as Mr Giam’s irrelevant critique of NTUC.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr. Heng Chee How joined the debate, defending NTUC’s relationship with the PAP.

He argued that this alignment benefits workers by effectively communicating their needs and prioritizing their interests.

Heng highlighted the PAP’s track record in delivering results for Singapore and its workers. He asserted that the PAP’s long-standing governance has consistently prioritized workers’ needs and has not compromised their interests.

Heng criticised some recommendations made by Gerald Giam, suggesting that they could potentially undermine the effectiveness of tripartite partnerships.

He warned that such recommendations could lead to ineffective agreements and hinder progress for workers.

In response, Mr Giam acknowledged the hard work of unionists but critiqued systemic constraints on union independence.

He argued that his proposals for greater union independence aim to empower workers’ representatives to advocate more effectively for their interests.

Giam addressed criticisms that his initial remarks were irrelevant by explaining they set the stage for his main policy points.

“I believe that my proposals for union independence are meant to empower unionists and platform associations leaders to act freely in the best interests of their workers.”

Later, Giam posed a thought-provoking question: “Can I assume that … if the PAP were to ever lose power, the NTUC would therefore become an instrument of opposition against the new government?”

Indranee responded that she could not speak for NTUC but emphasized that it would be up to NTUC and its workers to decide which political party, if any, they support.

“What I can say is that the PAP would do its very utmost not to have to give them a reason to think that we would never support them, or that as a government, we would not do our very best for the workers and the trade union congress.”

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Parliament

Minister Shanmugam rejects request for detailed information on visa-free visitor offences: Cites bilateral considerations

Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam rejected Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru’s request for detailed statistics on visa-free visitors involved in crimes, citing bilateral concerns. He affirmed current screening measures are sufficient, with no plans for an electronic travel authorisation system.

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7 days ago

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10 September 2024

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On 10 September 2024, Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam, refused to provide detailed information requested by Workers’ Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Sengkang GRC, Ms He Ting Ru, regarding visa-free visitors involved in criminal offences in Singapore.

Ms He had asked for statistics on how many visa-free visitors had been arrested or identified as persons of interest for criminal activities from 2021 to June 2024, along with a breakdown of offences by type, number, and country of origin.

She also queried the consideration of enhanced screening measures and the possibility of introducing an electronic travel authorisation system similar to those in other jurisdictions.

In his written response, Mr Shanmugam stated that with over 150 countries on the visa-free entry list, it would not be practical or meaningful to publish crime statistics specific to visitors from these nations.

He added that doing so could carry bilateral implications and potentially send the wrong message to bona fide visitors from these countries.

Mr Shanmugam affirmed that Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) employs a risk-based, multi-layered approach to balance border security with traveller facilitation and assured that the current measures are sufficient. He reiterated that there were no immediate plans to implement an electronic travel authorisation regime, as it would increase inconvenience for visitors.

“We are satisfied with the current measures, and for now, do not see a need for an additional electronic travel authorisation regime. Also, such a regime will make visiting Singapore more inconvenient,” said Mr Shanmugam.

This response followed an oral reply delivered earlier that day by Minister of State (MOS) for Home Affairs, Ms Sun Xueling, who addressed a related question posed by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Mr Leong Mun Wai from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP).

Mr Leong had expressed concerns about the potential rise in crime following the introduction of a 30-day visa exemption arrangement for Chinese nationals in February 2024. He specifically questioned whether the recent burglaries involving foreign syndicates had any link to this exemption and whether automated lanes at Changi Airport increased the risk of non-bona fide travellers entering the country.

Ms Sun refuted Mr Leong’s concerns, clarifying that there had been no increase in arrests among short-term visitors from China since the visa exemption came into effect.

She noted that the arrest rate of Chinese visitors had, in fact, decreased compared to the previous year. While acknowledging the involvement of some foreign nationals in criminal activity, she highlighted that the visa regime alone cannot eliminate all risks. Instead, ICA employs enhanced technology, such as biometrics and advanced data analytics, to screen travellers.

Ms Sun also emphasised the importance of the tourism sector to Singapore’s economy, generating S$27.2 billion in receipts in 2023 and employing over 71,000 workers. She argued that closing borders to prevent crimes would not be a viable solution, especially given Singapore’s competition with neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Thailand, which are also working to attract Chinese visitors.

Despite further calls from Mr Leong for additional security measures and tougher penalties for cross-border crimes, Ms Sun reassured that the government continually reviews its laws, including the Criminal Procedure Code and Penal Code, to address transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online scams.

She affirmed that Singapore remains vigilant in adapting its laws and measures to combat evolving criminal trends.

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Parliament

Leong Mun Wai questions why NTUC leaders often come from the ruling party

During the Platform Workers Bill debate on 10 Sept, Mr Leong Mun Wai, NCMP from the Progress Singapore Party, backed WP MP Gerald Giam’s call for an independent NTUC. He expressed concerns about NTUC’s ties to the ruling party, questioning its independence given that its leaders are often from the PAP.

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7 days ago

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10 September 2024

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SINGAPORE: Mr Leong Mun Wai, Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) from the Progress Singapore Party, voiced support for the Workers’ Party and its MP Gerald Giam’s call for an independent and non-partisan NTUC, separate from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

During a parliamentary debate on the Platform Workers Bill on Tuesday (10 Sept), Mr Leong acknowledged that tripartism is a fundamental aspect of governance that all parties, including opposition ones, seek to foster.

He noted that unions naturally seek political power to effect change but expressed concerns about the extent of NTUC’s relationship with the ruling party.

However he questioned the level of NTUC’s independence from the government.

He pointed out that the NTUC’s secretary-general is often a minister or former minister and that many NTUC leaders come from the ruling party.

“Can you find another trade union in the world where the trade union chief is a minister? Are there any countries? Please let me know if there are,” Mr Leong asked, further noting that few opposition politicians are given appointments in NTUC.

“I think we are entitled to think that the independence of NTUC ought to be better than this.”

Earlier, PAP MP Christopher De Souza criticized MP Gerald Giam for using the term “tether” to describe the NTUC-PAP relationship, emphasizing that the NTUC operates through partnership, alliance, and solidarity rather than subordination.

In response, Mr Giam clarified that when he used the terms “tether” or “untether,” he meant that the NTUC and the PAP should be separate and independent organizations.

He sought to ensure that NTUC does not appear to be biased towards the ruling party.

Mr Giam also raised concerns about NTUC’s structure, particularly questioning why the Platform Associations need a Council of Advisors with the power to dismiss the Executive Council and why these advisors are predominantly PAP members or MPs.

He suggested that this structure indicates a lack of independence for NTUC.

The current NTUC secretary-general is Ng Chee Meng, a former PAP minister who assumed the position in 2018 and continues to hold it despite losing to WP’s new team in GE2020.

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