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The real reason WP Gerald Giam objects to NTUC’s close relationship with the PAP

the-real-reason-wp-gerald-giam-objects-to-ntucs-close-relationship-with-the-pap
Gerald Giam hijacked the debate on a Bill to protect platform workers to launch an attack on NTUC and its partnership with the ruling party.
 
He should learn the history of his own party first. Two-thirds of WP’s founding executive committee were trade unionists.
 
And how did the Workers’ Party derive its name?
 
Its founder, David Marshall had mooted the idea of a political party that is made up exclusively of trade unionists.
 
That’s why it is called the Workers‘ Party.
 
Gerald Giam’s objection to any association of unions with political parties is akin to delivering a slap to his own party founder.
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He asserted that NTUC’s close relationship with the PAP means that it is unable to represent workers without fear or favour. 
 
But rather than resorting to rhetoric and the hypotheticals, Gerald Giam should look at the facts.
 
Exactly how is the Singaporean worker disadvantaged by having a union that has a symbiotic relationship with the ruling party?
 
The union is deeply involved in the wellbeing of the Singaporean worker.
 
Workers are supported by the NTUC in many different ways, in career coaching, in training, in job seeking, and more.
 
INSEAD reports that Singapore has one of the most proficient workforce in the world.
 
The proficiency of our workforce is a testament of how the symbiotic relationship between NTUC and the ruling PAP has benefited workers tremendously. 
 
Mr Lee Kuan Yew said, “We have always a member of the NTUC on the Cabinet. So in every issue at stake, we take into account what’s the benefit to workers, what’s the dis-benefit. So whether there’s a growing disparity in wages at the top and the bottom because of globalisation or whatever, we try to bring about a more equitable solution.”
 
The Bill to support platform workers – which even the WP support -is the result of the partnership between the NTUC and the Government.

The NTUC has always had a close relationship with the PAP, with many of its leaders also being senior members of the party.

This connection goes back to the 1950s when the PAP, backed by unions, came to power. Over time, NTUC became the dominant union federation, while the PAP solidified its role as Singapore’s ruling party.

The PAP’s close relationship with the NTUC is not a unique Singapore phenomenon. 

Globally, unions often align with political parties. Singapore’s tripartite system—linking the government, unions, and businesses—has kept industrial relations peaceful.

Rather than calling for NTUC’s independence, opposition parties should focus on winning union support, as political and union partnerships are common worldwide.

So, why is the Workers’ Party (WP) suddenly so concerned about NTUC? It’s simple: they plan to rule the country.

If WP wins the election and becomes the government, NTUC—with its strong influence over workers in many sectors—would pose a significant threat. Therefore, WP needs to weaken NTUC before they can take over.

Thus, Giam’s objection to NTUC’s close association with the PAP has nothing to do with a concern for workers’ interests. It has everything to do with WP’s own narrow interest. For their own interest, they would seek to weaken a union that has done very well in furthering and protecting workers’ interests. 

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