SPEECH BY MR LEE HSIEN LOONG,PRIME MINISTER, AT MAY DAY RALLY, 1 MAY 2006, 5.15 PM AT SUNTEC CITY CONVENTION HALL
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Introduction
1. I am happy to join you today for this May Day gathering
2. A triple celebration
a. May Day
b. NTUC’s 45th Anniversary
c. Also 45th Anniversary of NTUC’s symbiotic relationship with the PAP
Coming into the Sunshine
3. Indeed we have every reason to rejoice
a. Past few years have not been easy for workers, but the worst is over
4. All those affected the last few years felt the emotional stress
i. Union leaders, workers and their families, MPs and others all went through tough times.
(1) e.g. Thomas Chang – branch leader at the FDAWU
(a) Working in Raffles Hotel when we were hit by SARS – describes it as the “worst time” in his 12 years with Raffles, as occupancy fell to just 22% (vs normal 75%)
(b) At first, the hotel asked staff to clear leave. But when the situation worsened, asked them to take no-pay leave
(c) Many were upset by the loss of salary and worried about their future; some went to Thomas and cried
(2) It was painful for union leaders like Thomas to balance between the need to do difficult things, and to protect as many jobs as possible for the future – and at the same time feeling the pain of friends and colleagues affected.
ii. Company bosses too found it tough. HR managers wept. In PSA, Grace Fu dug into her own pocket to start a fund to help children of retrenched workers, and all the other managers chipped in.
b. Today’s rally is a tribute to all who rallied together and pulled Singapore through the rough patch
c. We are now just coming into the sunshine because we took the necessary medicine, from SARS precautions to CPF reform and wage restructuring. We are now seeing positive results
i. In the last two years, the economy has bounced back
ii. Attracted high quality and high value-added investments
iii. Many jobs created; unemployment down
iv. Wages are up; bonuses are improving
v. People are smiling again – whether hotel managers or SIA cabin crews – they beam when hotel occupancy is 100%, and they cheer when planes are more than 70% full. Yes, they will be busier, but they know they not only have jobs but will have bonuses too!
5. But some will have difficulties coping with globalisation and change
a. Low income groups
b. Elderly
c. We have not forgotten them
d. Hence the Progress Package to give them extra help
e. 2.1 million Singaporeans have received the Progress Package
i. Of which nearly 300,000 have received the Workfare Bonus
f. Happy that we are able to give every citizen a share in the growth and prosperity of our nation
6. You know, we are in the middle of our elections campaign, and we have walked many miles:
a. Inderjit Singh calculated that he will have walked 5 marathons by this Saturday
b. One female grassroots leader happily joins the block visits, house by house. She wants to keep fit, she joked this is better than paying slimming saloons hundreds of dollars.
c. I met many people, and so have all the PAP teams in all constituencies.
d. The widowed 59 year old Malay woman living by herself in a 1-room flat – she just finished her marketing and waved her white tudung at me and said “Saya PAP sokong juga!” Same colour, says her friend.
e. The wheel chair man asking Khaw Boon Wan to give his block priority for lift upgrading – Boon Wan had wet eyes
i. I know Khaw Boon Wan - He doesn't just feel for the man. I know he will do his best to put that man's block on priority for lift upgrading
f. The little boy who had a discussion with me on the meaning of elections –jobs and opportunities when he grows up
g. These are among the reasons why I made the Progress Package, sharing the growth we have achieved the last 2 years – and this is why we must continue to work hand in hand, PAP and NTUC, to grow our economy, and build a future – so that no one will be left behind.
Riding the Economic Wave
7. Singaporeans have been a resilient people. We bounced back because we adapted to change, and seized new opportunities.
a. e.g. Maxtor
i. Downsized, retrenched
ii. Wanting to sell factory in Ang Mo Kio
iii. Taken over by UTAC within 2 months
iv. Now up and running, making $500 mn new investments, creating 1,000 new jobs
b. e.g. in retail and tourism – thousands of jobs
i. The whole of Sentosa, Mount Faber and Habourfront is coming alive.
ii. Mount Faber now has a successful Jewel Box – tallest Christmas tree of lights last year – now attracting visitors and having good business.
iii. In six months, VivoCity will be opening at the Harbourfront
(1) Singapore’s biggest mall – size of Suntec City and Tangs combined
(2) Another landmark project – not a shopping mall, but many new ideas – like Golden Village’s new Gold standard Cineplex – with Asia’s widest indoor cinema screen and seats like first class SIA seats (says the boss).
(3) Will create 7,000 new jobs from frontline sales to supervisory and managerial positions; also jobs for part time and full time, and for young and not-so-young workers
(4) Mall is working with the shops for joint recruitment and training, supported by WDA
(5) Holding a 3-day recruitment fair in June
iv. And when the Marina and Sentosa IRs are ready, there will be even more jobs.
8. We must stay responsive and competitive
9. We cannot try to prevent retrenchment and restructuring, or try to stop the tide from coming in like King Canute
10. So more new projects are coming in
a. e.g. in petrochemicals – billion dollar investments
i. Shell and ExxonMobil have both invested billions in Singapore
(1) Represent a vote of confidence in Singapore – our ability to provide a long-term stable environment
ii. Now both evaluating very major new investments
(1) Shell is close to making final decision on a new steam cracker at Bukom Island
(2) ExxonMobil also in “advanced study stage” for a second cracker on Jurong Island
(3) These are multi-billion dollar investments
(4) Major spin-offs for economy – e.g. port, engineering and construction, logistics and related services
(5) Decision depends not just on financial projections, but also judgment of political risk
(6) Can be sure both Shell and ExxonMobil are watching these elections carefully
(7) Better send them the right signal
b. e.g. in biomedical sciences – cutting edge science
i. Will create jobs at many levels
(1) Not just research scientists with PhDs
(2) But also technicians and laboratory assistants
(3) Many ITE and Poly grads doing courses to train for such work
(a) e.g. in Biotechnology and Chemical Process Technology
(b) Popular among students, who are in demand when they graduate
(4) Even for older workers
(a) e.g. Edwards LifeSciences – building a new heart valve manufacturing facility in Singapore
(b) Recruiting older Singaporeans
(i) Nearly 100 women from various backgrounds, including wafer fab, electronics assembly and service industry
(ii) With sewing experience
(iii) Oldest is aged 57
(iv) Training them to stitch handmade biological heart valves
(v) e.g. Mdm Lee Ah Siew
[1] Aged 50
[2] Started work in a factory sewing jeans
[3] Then moved to a goldsmith shop and worked in the industry for almost 30 years
[4] Retrenched last year and applied for the job at Edwards LifeSciences when she heard they were looking for people with sewing experience
[5] Now a Medical Device Sewing Specialist
[6] Sews special fabric with a ring, which is assembled in the US into a complete heart valve
[7] Mdm Lee is here
11. Creating many opportunities for Singaporeans
a. Reshaping the education system
i. Many pathways for progression, with every opportunity for Singaporeans to excel and maximise their potential
ii. e.g. Jocelyn Lau from Peirce Secondary School
(1) Grades fell in Sec 2 after mixing with bad company, and was transferred from Express to Normal stream
(2) Ashamed and kept to herself for her entire Sec 3
(3) But teachers believed in her and did not give up hope on her
(a) e.g. Ms Adrian Wong – SMS every morning to wake her up to go to school
(b) e.g. former science teacher, Mrs Malathi Vija, talked to her and encouraged her to do better
(4) Mother was concerned, even though she had to work hard and come back after 10 pm every night to support the family
(5) Jocelyn could not bear to see her mother so upset, and eventually decided to change
(6) Worked hard to become the top Sec 5 student of her school this year – now continuing her studies in Nanyang JC
(7) Jocelyn’s story shows that the opportunities are there for all our students to move ahead, so long as they make the effort
iii. e.g. mentioned Eric Chen at last year’s NDR
(1) Went to ITE, then Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and got an engineering degree from University of Edinburgh, and a Masters from Imperial College, London
(2) Was offered a place in the PhD programme, but he decided to return to teach in ITE MacPherson
(3) Discovered that he had joined the YP in Cheng San
(4) Glad that he is here this evening
b. Re-designing jobs to create viable career progression paths
i. e.g. met Derrick Ow at the Job Re-creation Programme (JRP) Awards Night
(1) Stopped schooling after N levels
(2) Developed a passion for cooking when helping out at his parent’s food stall in Changi Village
(3) Committed himself to training and upgrading
(4) Now doing well as a cook at Swissotel
(5) Just took part in the 2006 Food Hotel Asia competition with a colleague
(a) Major international culinary event, held every other year in Singapore
(b) Up against competitors from all over the world, including Japan, Canada, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland
(c) Won a silver medal!
(6) He is also here
c. Helping older Singaporeans to stay employed and work longer
i. Went to East Coast GRC, met two 80+ year old ladies – one selling noodles, the other frying a mean oluak – they are tough, independent spirits
ii. e.g. 67-year old Shunmugam Vellasamy
(1) Started out as a tailor; later, opened his own shop in Orchard Road, but had to close it down due to poor business
(2) Did not despair and at the age of 56, joined Chubb Security as a Security Officer.
(3) Since then he has gone for training and progressed in his career. From a starting pay of $1,200, he is now taking home $1,700 as an Acting Supervisor, and will get $2,000 when he completes his Supervisor course
(4) Employers recognise his efforts and contributions, and have praised him as a role model for their staff
(5) He is here
iii. e.g. age limit for taxi drivers
(1) Met Mdm Lim Ching (林真) – 60 year old taxi driver – at recent Mandarin TV forum
(2) Suggested giving those above 70 and in good health a chance to continue driving
(3) Mdm Lim is here too – have good news for her and other older taxi drivers
(4) Will extend age limit to 73, subject to driving assessment and medical exam
12. This is the way for us to move ahead
a. Improving the lives of all Singaporeans
b. And between the PAP and the NTUC, we will ensure that no one is left behind
Unique Happy Situation
13. We have created something unique and precious in Singapore
14. Look at the countries around us
a. Europe
i. The big three countries – Germany, France and Italy – stuck, performing poorly with low growth and high unemployment
ii. Broad consensus among the leaderships that things cannot go on like this
iii. But still unable to change – as Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg explains: “Everybody knows what reforms we need to implement, but nobody knows how to implement them and win an election afterwards”
iv. e.g. France
(1) Difficult to fire workers, so many companies are reluctant to hire new ones
(2) But when Prime Minister De Villepin pushed through a law to make it more flexible for employers to higher young workers, it sparked mass demonstrations and riots
(3) Government had to back down and scrap the law
(4) This means their 10% overall unemployment rate is going to continue, and their 20% youth unemployment will be hard to improve
v. On the other side of the Channel, London is booming. London is open, welcoming foreigners, and embracing change. The best and brightest in Europe are flocking to London. Lord Peter Levene, the former Lord Mayor of the City of London, said, waving his hands around the cityscape “You know why we are booming, because we have 150,000 Polish people here!”
b. Closer to home, some of our neighbours in Southeast Asia also facing difficulties, e.g. Philippines, Indonesia
i. Indonesia
(1) Rigid labour laws are putting off investors
(2) Government trying to change them
(3) But unions are resisting and leading street protests
(4) Multinationals have left or are moving their plants to friendlier and more competitive economies like Thailand and Vietnam
(5) Government is trying to get around this by carving out SEZs with investor-friendly rules
(a) Singapore is cooperating with them on SEZs in Bintan and Batam, and also one near Jakarta
(b) Have worked out agreement
(c) Will sign it next month when President SBY and I meet
(d) Hope this takes off – it will be good for Indonesia, and also good for Singapore
ii. Meanwhile, India and China continue to grow.
(1) They need to make many adjustments themselves
(2) But they will be the new engines for Singapore, on top of the old engines of US, Europe and Japan
(3) Hope Asean will also work together, grow and become another engine – must get our acts together, governments and people
(4) This way, we will have a 6-cylinder engine economy – not just 2- or 4-cylinder engine economy.
Strong Tripartite Partnership
15. Never forget why Singapore can do this when others cannot
a. Good and responsible union movement, led by NTUC
b. Strong tripartite partnership
c. Basis of tripartism – symbiotic relationship between NTUC and PAP
16. PAP and NTUC share common goals, as reflected in our slogans
a. NTUC May Day Rally – “Together, a Brighter Future for all”
b. PAP – “Staying Together, Moving Ahead”
c. Both are expressions of the same objective
i. Looks simple – but together it means we have a future for our people and for our children and children’s children
ii. But not so easy to achieve
d. Singapore can do it
e. We must strike a balance between the head and the heart and achieve both economic growth and social cohesion as a people in Singapore
f. This is the responsibility of the PAP and the NTUC
17. Around the world, labour movements seek to
a. Advance the interests of workers
b. Gain political power to achieve their goals
c. e.g.
i. RENGO in Japan supports the Democratic Party
ii. Democratic Party in the US – promoting the interests of the AFL-CIO (America’s union movement)
iii. Labour Party in the UK – unions have voting rights in the British Labour Party – Tony Blair had to curb their influence
18. In Singapore
a. Strictly disallow union funds to be used to support political purposes
b. Unionists supporting PAP candidates take their annual leave
c. But PAP-NTUC link is close, and vital
d. Hence NTUC Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General in Cabinet
e. Workers have two representatives at the highest level of government
19. WP in its Manifesto says government ministers should not take office in trade unions at any level
a. They say they want to get the PAP out of the unions
b. Actually they are kicking the workers’ representatives out of the Government
c. And they call themselves the Workers’ Party!
20. You have a choice
a. Choose to create more jobs tomorrow, even if we must let go of some existing jobs today
b. Choose to have a safe home with a clean government
c. Choose a strong partnership between government, unions, workers, and the companies who are the engines for jobs
d. Choose to ride with the global tide, and leave no one behind
e. Choose to stay together and move ahead
f. Choose the party that stands for Peace and Prosperity – PAP, the Peace and Prosperity party, the party that you trust, with policies that work
21. We, the PAP & NTUC, know what is at stake for us, our people and our children
a. It will not always be easy
b. Our business people know, our taxi drivers and market stallholders know – business can be tough, and the road can be bumpy – 9/11, SARS, bird flu and high oil prices – no one predicted them and these shocks come suddenly
c. We must be prepared for more bumps in the road ahead –
d. Have the guts and gumptions to face the truth and never say die – use our heads and use our hearts together
e. That is the only way we can build our best home in Singapore, and create a brighter future for ourselves and our families, for our young and for our old
Conclusion
22. Singapore is on the right track. We have a lot going for us, but sometimes do not realise this until we look at the countries around us
a. Quote Adelyn Poh who wrote to ST Forum
b. Adelyn is here
23. Work together for a better Singapore
. . . . .
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UCAPAN PERDANA MENTERI DI RAPAT HARI BURUH, 1 MEI 2006,
DI DEWAN PAMERAN SUNTEC
1. Rapat Hari Buruh tahun ini adalah masa yang menggembirakan. Ekonomi kita kuat. Banyak pekerjaan yang telah diwujudkan. Pengangguran kian berkurang. Upah dan gaji telah meningkat dan para pekerja menikmati bonus yang lebih.
2. Suasana baru ini timbul setelah beberapa tahun kita mengalami kesukaran. Kita bangkit dari krisis ini dalam keadaan lebih baik, kerana kita telah melaksanakan langkah-langkah tegas – dari SARS hingga ke reformasi CPF dan penyusunan semula gaji. Kita menangani kesukaran ini secara kolektif dan dengan tegas sebagai satu bangsa. Kini, suasana malap telah pun berlalu dan suasana mula bertambah baik.
3. Pergerakan buruh memainkan peranan penting dalam semua ini. Para pemimpin kesatuan sekerja berperanan genting. Mereka terpaksa mengajak para pekerja memahami dan menerima langkah-langkah pahit, dan menolong mereka yang kehilangan pekerjaan. Ia merupakan suatu keadaan yang sungguh tertekan dan penuh emosi, tetapi mereka berjaya melakukannya. Mereka membulatkan sokongan para pekerja, dan melaksanakan tanggungjawab mereka dengan sikap ambil berat yang tulus dan penuh keihsanan.
4. Singapore Press Holding (SPH) merupakan salah sebuah syarikat yang terpaksa membuang pekerjanya. Apabila ia berlaku, Encik Johari Mohd Sadli, Setiausaha Agung SPHEU, memimpin pasukannya untuk menjelaskan kepada para anggota akan peri pentingnya penyusunan semula dan rasionalisasi kaki tangan. Disebabkan SPH telah memperkemas operasinya, ia telah bangkit dengan lebih teguh lalu dapat memberi ganjaran kenaikan gaji tahunan dan bonus yang lebih tinggi kepada para pekerjanya pada tahun lalu.
5. Pada petang ini, kita ingin menyampaikan ucap penghormatan kepada para pemimpin kesatuan sekerja kerana iltizam, dedikasi dan kerja keras mereka dan juga kepada para pekerja kita, pekerja terbaik di dunia. Anda telah membolehkan kami mengatasi masa sukar kita dan pada masa yang sama mengekalkan hubungan perusahaan yang harmoni.
6. Saya cukup optimis akan masa depan kita. Dasar-dasar kita ternyata berkesan. Beberapa projek besar yang baru akan dilaksanakan. Ia akan mewujudkan banyak pekerjaan di pelbagai jenis industri. Kita sedang memupuk di kalangan orang-orang muda kita sikap dan kemahiran yang perlu ada untuk merebut peluang-peluang yang terbuka agar mereka berjaya dalam hidup. Kita sedang melatih dan mempertingkat kemahiran para pekerja kita agar mereka kekal relevan di tempat kerja. Masyarakat Melayu telah membuat kemajuan yang berterusan dalam bidang tersebut. Kita juga sedang menangani masalah sosial di kalangan mereka bagi memastikan tidak ada keluarga Melayu yang tercicir di belakang.
7. Yang terpenting, untuk terus maju, kita mestilah meneruskan hubungan kerjasama yang rapat di antara Pemerintah, majikan dan para pekerja. Perkongsian tiga pihak ini merupakan kelebihan yang genting bagi Singapura. Ia menolong kita menarik pelaburan, mengembangkan ekonomi, dan mewujudkan pekerjaan kepada warga Singapura. Pertalian penting dalam perkongsian ini ialah hubungan yang rapat dan simbiotik di antara PAP dan NTUC. Pemerintah PAP mewakili kepentingan para pekerja. Kita akan terus bekerja rapat dengan kesatuan-kesatuan sekerja bagi membaiki penghidupan para pekerja.
8. Pengalaman kita sejak beberapa tahun lalu membuktikan bahawa tidak ada cabaran yang terlalu besar, kesukaran yang tidak terkendalikan, bagi kita mengatasinya. Kita telah dapat bertahan menghadapi ujian dan bangkit menjadi lebih perkasa. Bersama, kita akan dapat menggunakan sepenuh penuhnya peluang yang menggairahkan, yang terbentang di depan kita. Bersama, kita akan memperbaiki kehidupan kita dan mencipta masa depan yang lebih cerah bagi Singapura.
. . . . .
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李显龙总理在职总五一劳动节大会上华语演讲
1. 我今天很高兴能够跟大家一起庆祝劳动节。
2. 过去好几个年头是十分困难的年头。现在经济大为好转，雨过天晴，最糟的日子已经过去了。
3. 在那个困难的时期，工友必须忍受改革带来的不安。他们的家人也深受影响。其他人的日子也不好过。工会领袖，国会议员，公司的主管人员，也感到很大的压力。
4. 我们齐心协力，同甘共苦，终于度过难关。
5. 今年的劳动节，我们要向所有帮助国家渡过难关的人士致以万二分的谢意。
a. 我们的经济全面复苏了。
b. 我们创造了许多新的就业机会；失业率下降了。
c. 许多人获得加薪；花红也增加了。
d. 许多人原本愁眉苦脸，现在展露了笑容。
6. 我们对前途恢复了信心
a. 这证明我们应付危机的策略和政策有效。
i. 我们没有避重就轻，不刻意阻止改革和裁员。
ii. 我们积极接受改变，通过新的政策努力适应新的环境。
iii. 结果，许多企业的实力大为加强，并开始在新加坡扩充业务，为新加坡人带来很多新的工作。
b. 我们吸引了不少全新的和庞大的投资
i. 譬如说，零售业和旅游业也吸引了可观的投资，为我们的市区带来新的活力，也创造了数千个新的工作职位。
ii. 石油化学工业方面的投资承诺就多达数十亿元。
iii. 我们在生物科技所吸引的可观投资，带来了尖端的科技，也带来各种支援这个行业的新工作，包括服务业和技术的工作。
7. 我们为人民创造了许多自我提升的机会。
a. 我们正在改革教育制度。
b. 我们重新设计工作，为人们制造更多职业发展的途径。
c. 协助中年人加强谋生和求职的能力，并且可以工作到退休年龄或超过退休年龄。
8. 这是我们整体的发展策略
a. 不过，全球化带来迅速的发展，一些新加坡人跟不上改变的步伐，
i. 低收入人士
ii. 老年人
b. 我们没有忽略他们
c. 我们近年来通过一系列特别援助穷困人士的政策，确保没有人会被抛在后头。
d. 今年的“增长配套”特别照顾他们
e. 到目前为止，共有210万名新加坡人从配套中获益，其中将近30万人将获得就业花红。
f. 我们能够让每一位新加坡人分享国家增长和繁荣的果实，我对此十分欣慰。
9. 很少国家和政府能够实现让全民受惠的承诺。我们能够办到这点，是因为我们具备独特、值得珍惜的优点。
a. 劳资政的紧密合作关系
b. 这种关系是建立在人民行动党和职总的共生关系上
c. 政府和工会共同为工友谋福利
10. 人民行动党诚心诚意改善人民的生活
a. 行动党在2001年大选期间，以解决就业问题为主要的竞选课题
b. 我们实现了诺言
c. 我们对新加坡人许下的承诺是：政府将从旁帮助你解决问题，帮助你改善生活。
d. 如果我们同心协力，一定能为全体人民创造美好的未来。
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