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Pritam Singh schools Koh Poh Koon on NTUC’s history during debate on workers’ representation

During the 10 September parliamentary debate on the Platform Workers Bill, WP MP Gerald Giam called for independent unions, while Dr Koh Poh Koon questioned WP’s historical stance. Pritam Singh countered Koh’s remarks, highlighting changes in the political landscape and potential conflicts of interest with NTUC.

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During the parliamentary debate on 10 September regarding the Platform Workers Bill, an exchange took place between Workers’ Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Aljunied GRC, Gerald Giam, and Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Dr Koh Poh Koon.

Responding to Dr Koh’s comment about the Workers’ Party’s position on tripartism, Mr Giam emphasized that WP advocates for a “third way” in the relationship between unions, employers, and the government, which lies between full confrontation and total symbiosis. He called for independent unions that can engage in tripartite dialogue, seeking win-win outcomes for workers and employers alike.

Mr Giam clarified that the WP is not opposing cooperation with unions but believes in a balance where unions maintain their independence to protect workers’ interests effectively.

In response, Dr Koh questioned WP’s position, citing the party’s historical roots as a party for workers and unions. He pointed to WP’s founding ideals, as stated on their website, which envisioned a party dedicated to trade unions.

Dr Koh expressed confusion over how WP could propose distancing itself from a close relationship with unions, given its historical foundation.

Pritam Singh, Leader of the Opposition and WP MP for Aljunied GRC, then stood to reject Dr Koh’s comments, asserting that the political landscape has changed significantly since WP’s founding over 60 years ago.

He cited former NTUC Secretary-General Ho See Beng, who reminded the government and employers that the NTUC cooperation in the task of economic development was not one-way traffic.

Quoting a report where Mr Ho took issue with the government leaders, particularly the Prime Minister, for speaking unendingly of labor obligations while hardly touching on labor rights and major grievances.

“I would be grateful if the senior Minister of State can raise a single example of where an NTUC secretary general or a deputy secretary general has spoken out against a 3G of 4G leader to defend the rights of workers.” asked Mr Singh.

Mr Singh suggested that the public is entitled to question whether NTUC’s close relationship with the People’s Action Party (PAP) presents a conflict of interest.

In response, without addressing Mr Singh’s question, Dr Koh maintained that the ongoing debate on the bill itself was evidence of the success of Singapore’s longstanding tripartite relationship.

He dismissed Mr Singh’s criticisms, asserting that the PAP’s strong relationship with unions over the past 60 years had contributed to Singapore’s economic success—a relationship he believed the WP had long lost, which Mr Singh refuted.

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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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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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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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