SPEECH BY DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN,MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AT THE F & N COCA COLA (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD NATIONAL DAY OBSERVANCE CEREMONY, 10 AUGUST 2004, 8.45 AM AT 457, JALAN AHMAD IBRAHIM

Mr Dirk Veryser, General Manager, F & N Coca Cola

Mr Matthias Yao, Executive Secretary, FDAWU

Mr Tan Soon Yam, General Secretary, FDAWU

Comrades from the union

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

A very good morning to all of you.

 

1.              Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate our nation’s 39th National Day with all of you.

 

2.              The economy has done very well during the first half of 2004. The indicators look good for the rest of the year too.

 

 

3.              For your company, I believe the pressure from other competitors continues to escalate and it will be a tough challenge to stay as one of the market leaders in the industry. With increasing competition and consumers becoming more cost-conscious, it is important that the company remains viable with cooperation from the union. A profitable business will translate into long-term benefits for the workers.  The union can support the company in terms of cost savings, feedback-sharing to improve sales or suggestions to run operations more efficiently.

 

4.              I understand from the union that the management team of F & N Coca Cola has been very supportive of wage restructuring and that the branch has made much progress in terms of adopting a Flexible Wage System. This flexibility is important for the long-term viability of the company and the jobs it creates. It should also be the  basis for an equitable distribution of the benefits during good times.

 

5.              For the workers, it is also important to make yourselves more employable and marketable in the long term by going for skills upgrading. The economy is changing rapidly. Having an additional set of skills is always useful for any individual.

 

6.              I am also very glad to know that the industrial relations for this branch has remained very cordial and healthy. And I believe that only with a good partnership between the company and union, we can achieve much more with a common goal.

 

7.              On this note, I would like to wish you a Happy National Day. Thank you.