Minister Chan Chun Sing joins NTUC

SINGAPORE — Changes are afoot at the labour movement, with Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing to join the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). He will be appointed Deputy Secretary-General next Tuesday (Jan 27).

The announcement was made at a dialogue with about 200 top union leaders today.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Facebook that the NTUC asked him to release Mr Chan to serve in the Labour Movement. "NTUC Sec Gen Lim Swee Say will be 62 in July 2016, the retirement age for union leaders, so the Central Committee is planning for succession," he said.

"I support their choice. Tripartism is a key asset of Singapore, and Chun Sing has a contribution to make. I have agreed to release him immediately on a part-time basis, and full-time from 1 April 2015," said Mr Lee. "For now Chun Sing will continue in MSF (and MINDEF, where he is Second Minister). But he will leave gaps when he goes over to NTUC full-time in April. I will announce Cabinet changes to fill the vacancies after the Budget session. Both Chun Sing and Swee Say will remain in Cabinet."

Mr Lee's letter in response to NTUC's request that he release Mr Chan (Click to enlarge):

The invitation was extended by NTUC President Diana Chia and NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say, who said Mr Chan would be a suitable Cabinet minister to strengthen the leadership at NTUC, as well as the link between the labour movement and the Government.

NTUC's letter to Mr Lee (Click on the image to enlarge):

While it is too premature to talk about his priorities for the labour movement, Mr Chan told reporters his personal priorities will include getting to know all the labour unions.“Our job is to make sure we continue to add to the team and build on that foundation," he said. Mr Chan said he will leave the Ministry of Social and Family Development with a tinge of sadness, having worked with a professional team who have given him confidence and conviction.

As Mr Lim turns 62 in July 2016, he will not be able to serve another four-year term when his term ends in October. Mr Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, was appointed Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC twice, first in 1997 and again in 2005, before taking on his current post in NTUC in 2007.

The next Central Committee will be elected at the NTUC National Delegates’ Conference in October.