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Synopsis :

This is a recording of speeches delivered at the opening of the NTUC seminar on 'Modernisation of the Labour Movement' held at the Singapore Conference Hall. The singing of an union song and a welcome address by the NTUC's Secretary-General Seah Mui Kok precede the guest-of-honour PM Lee Kuan Yew's address.

Mr Seah explains the reasons for organising the seminar, why the theme was chosen, and the seminar's format.

PM Lee's speech touches on:
- Why Singapore's objective is not just industrialisation;
- Why equally important to Singapore is the development of the nature of the Singapore society;
- The need to have self-respect;
- The origin of the NTUC in 1952;
- The union leadership in the early days;
- The Employment Act and how it has helped to eliminate the bad practices that had crept into industrial relations;
- Why this is not the time to talk about amendments to the Employment Act;
- The problems envisaged over the next 5 years especially with British Withdrawal;
- The need to overcome the immediate hazards first.