Employment Relations in Spore

Table of Contents

Cover Page 2

1.0 Introduction 4

2.0 About Unions in Singapore 4

3.0 Factors Affecting Unions 5

4.0 Decline in union members for Generation Y 6

5.0 Recommendation 8

6.0 Conclusion 9

7.0 References 10

1.0 Introduction

The purpose of this report is to discuss on the reasons for decline of union membership in Singapore and to provide recommendation on how to increase its appeal to the young people, the Generation Y, in the workforce. Generation Y refers to babies born after the year 1980 (Kuijsters, n.d.).

The report will have an introduction of union in Singapore, National Trade Union Congress (NTUC), and analyse the existing strategies and positive aspects that have been implemented to improve the union membership especially for the Generation Y.

2.0 About Unions in Singapore

NTUC is a central trade union organization in Singapore (Chia, 2008) which comprises 60 affiliated unions, 1 affiliated taxi association, 14 social enterprises, 5 related organisations. “NTUC's objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and workers remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and well-being of workers; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement” (National Trades Union Congress, n.d.).

Back in the past, workers were treated unfairly and paid with low salaries, the main role of the union was to use collective bargaining to help employees negotiate with employers for welfare such as better wages, improving workplace conditions and health safety. As Singapore progress, the government implement legislations to ensure good working conditions and safety which affects the union.

3.0 Factors Affecting Unions

Labour Relations legislations such as Employment Act (Cap 91), Industrial Relations Act (Cap 136) and Trade Unions Act (Cap 333) (Ministry Of Manpower, 2014) have provided guidelines for employers and basic needs for the employees’ employment, rights and benefits, causing union...