SNEF: Work underway to address gaps identified by NTUC's report

The tripartite partners are "already working together" to address the gaps identified in the #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations report released last week, according to the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF).

The SNEF on Thursday said the tripartite partners - which includes the federation, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) - have already anticipated some of the issues in the report ahead of time and will not be starting from zero in addressing them.

The report, released by the NTUC, made recommendations on key worker groups, including the youths, mid-career workers, caregivers, older workers, and vulnerable workers, after reaching out to 42,000 working people.

Robert Yap, president of the SNEF, commended the NTUC for its "massive effort" of engaging over 42,000 employees.

"SNEF will study the report carefully and work with MOM and NTUC to co-create solutions that will achieve win-win-win outcomes for Singapore, employers, and workers," Yap said in a statement.

Efforts of the SNEF

The SNEF also outlined its efforts in helping the worker groups highlighted in the report.

For the youth, the SNEF said it will carry out training programmes for managers and supervisors to equip them with the skills to coach and mentor younger employees.

The SNEF added that it partnered with Temasek Polytechnic to provide a structured human resource internship programme for students who want to have a career in HR.

"The programme provides the opportunity for the students to apply what they have learned in real-life setting and have better insight on what are the skills needed when they enter the workforce," the SNEF said.

For mid-career employees, the SNEF urged employers to refer to the Jobs Transformation Maps to identify the skills their employees need to acquire for new or redesigned job roles.

The SNEF also said it will work with MOM and NTUC in developing guidelines on flexible work arrangements, the most preferred form of support sought by caregivers. 

For older workers, the SNEF said it is looking to provide more employment opportunities for the group and ensuring their employability.

For vulnerable groups of workers, the SNEF said a new roadmap to uplift lower-wage workers had been released by the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers. Initiatives such as the Enabling Masterplan and the Yellow Ribbon project are also available for people with disabilities and ex-offenders, respectively.

Renewed workers' compact

Meanwhile, the NTUC said it wants to "reaffirm its compact" with employees following the results of its report.

"Having heard from over 42,000 working people, we have a deeper understanding of their anxieties and aspirations. We will do our best to support them throughout their life stages," said NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng in a statement.

"In this renewed compact, all of us have important parts to play. Let's make it a habit to put our heads, hearts, and hands in collective action to build better lives and livelihoods for all."

Yap also congratulated the NTUC for its renewal of their Workers' Compact to stand by all workers.

The SNEF president also affirmed that "every worker matters to employers."

"As responsible employers, we strongly believe that when employers take good care of their workers, they will take good care of the business. Vice versa, when workers take good care of the business, their employers will take good care of them," Yap said.