Union Chief Kee Chiu Saviour of Sinkie PMEs! Secured 300,000 votes For PAP Today!

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

SINGAPORE: About 300,000 professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) can expect more customised assistance, as part of growing efforts by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to help the sector.

PMEs now make up about 30 per cent of Singapore's labour force, and their numbers are expected to grow.

In a media briefing on Wednesday (Jul 29), the Labour Movement said this is because PMEs have more diverse needs compared to rank-and-file workers. PMEs also require more help in areas such as job placement and career progression, beyond job protection.

Said NTUC assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay: “They are very diverse PMEs because of life stages, gender, different needs, sectors and industries. So I think the key thing is we probably have to do not just more of the same, but many more of the many different things."

Since 2011, NTUC has provided more than 6,500 PMEs with workplace advisory and consultation services, and about 18,000 PMEs have found jobs through NTUC's e2i and U PME Centre.

In the area of career progression, close to 170,000 PMEs received training through Labour Movement initiatives such as courses by e2i, NextU and the U Associate Programme.

To help companies better understand PMEs, NTUC has also set up a PME Resource Group that builds up capabilities and expertise in recruiting and engaging PMEs at the workplace. On changes to the Industrial Relations (IR) Act which took effect in April this year, NTUC said it has trained about 1,600 union leaders since 2014 to help them understand PMEs' needs and equip them with the know-how to better serve PMEs.

The changes to the IR Act will allow for instance, PMEs to be collectively represented as a group by rank-and-file unions. Previously, PMEs were allowed to be represented by the same unions on an individual basis, and for limited matters.

PMEs can also turn to unions for representation if they face re-employment issues after the amendments. According to NTUC, about 150 union branches from 20 unions have said they are looking into expanding their representation of PMEs, or have committed to do so.

Mr Tay said changes have been made for the better protection of PMEs in the past few years. For instance, the Employment Act, which was last reviewed in 2014, now covers PMEs earning up to S$4,500. He added that the Fair Consideration Framework has also levelled the playing field for PMEs in Singapore.

Looking ahead, NTUC expects legislation to be introduced in the next few months for the setting up of an Employment Claims Tribunal. PMEs earning more than S$4,500 monthly and not covered by the Employment Act can turn to the tribunal to settle their employment claims and disputes.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/....html?cid=fbsg


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