SINGAPORE — Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew created tripartism because he believed that economic growth is the means to the end objective of improving the lot of workers, said labour chief Lim Swee Say.

“He came to the conclusion that the only way...to harmonise the twin objectives of keeping economy growing and at the same time making the social progress moving is through tripartism, getting the government, the employers, the unions and workers all working together,” said Mr Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. “If not for his vision…his leadership…his passion in giving his highest priority to social progress, always putting people first, I think we will not be here today.”

Mr Lim was speaking to the media earlier today after the National Trades Union Congress set up a tribute centre at its Marina Boulevard headquarters. Lunchtime crowds from the nearby Central Business District and NTUC staff, totalling about 500, gathered at the centre to observe a minute of silence as a mark of respect to Mr Lee.

Mr Lim added: “It is never easy to say farewell to a person, to a leader, to a brother, who is so much trusted, so much respected, so it is always hard to say goodbye to him. I think as a labour movement, we try to do it in the best way possible, to remember him, to salute him, and most of course, to say ‘thank you’ to him.”