Mr President, on behalf of the Singapore delegation, I would like to convey our heartiest congratulations on your election as President of the 92nd Session of the International Labour Conference.

Workforce Development

2. Compared to last year, we meet under better circumstances. Global growth is around 4%. Asia is expected to grow by about 6.8% this year. Singapore is doing better too. The forecast for Singapore’s economic growth is between 5.5 – 7.5% this year. This has improved employment opportunities and eased unemployment.

3. Despite better growth, globalisation and its attendant changes continue to impact on our workers. Singapore has identified workforce development and upgrading as one of our main strategies to meet this challenge and help Singaporeans remain employable. Hence, my Government set up a dedicated agency, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), in September 2003 to champion our efforts to address current skills gaps and future skills needs of workers in key growth industries.

4. Mr President, the Singapore delegation is therefore pleased that the ILO has also placed human resources development and training high on the agenda of this year’s ILC.

Wage Restructuring

5. Beyond skills upgrading, a national tripartite taskforce comprising key representatives from the employers, trade unions and the government also made recommendations to implement a wage system that was more flexible and responsive to volatile business cycles. A comprehensive program is being implemented and facilitated by the tripartite partners to help companies adopt a performance based wage system.

Migrant Workers

6. With a resident population of about 3.4 million, Singapore needs to augment our population with foreign manpower to meet the labour demands of our industries to achieve sustainable growth.

7. Recognising the importance of the well-being of foreign manpower in Singapore, my Ministry formed the Foreign Manpower Management Division last year to specifically attend to the needs of foreign workers. I am confident that we would be able to holistically enhance our framework and provide the best possible environment for foreign workers living and working in Singapore.

8. In this regard, I am pleased inform the conference that in November 2003, my Ministry, together with the ILO jointly organised a Focus Seminar on Women Migrant Workers. Not only did this enable various government agencies and trade unions to have a constructive discussion on migrant worker issues; we were also privilaged to share Singapore’s experience and efforts in managing foreign manpower with the ILO’s representatives.

9. The ILO continues to be pivotal in the improvement of working conditions worldwide. Its tripartite approach ensures that all social partners have an equal voice in the shaping of policies and hence safeguards the interests of all stakeholders.

Conclusion

10. Mr President, the Singapore delegation looks forward to a fruitful discussion on the various issues on the agenda. I am confident that under your able leadership, the 92nd ILC would be a highly rewarding one.

11. Thank you.