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 The Labour Movement is gearing up for war against the global financial crisis.
NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say drew the learning points from the Singapore Armed Forces in drawing up the Labour Movement’s battle plans at a sharing session at the NTUC Auditorium on 5 November 2008.
"During good times, the SAF has always prepared for war. And during war, it can only be effective when the teams are in cooperative joint operations."
"In the Labour Movement, we are very similar. During good times, we have kept strengthening the various units such as the Industrial Relations Department, the Membership Department as well as the Employability Enhancement Department. Now, it’s the time that these units are put to the real test."
Mr Lim said individual units must constantly take stock of their capabilities and capacity and get their forces in place.
 Help Them Get Jobs
The Labour Movement, together with our tripartite partners, has never been better prepared for a downturn now as compared to previous downturns. What we have to do now is to work closely with companies to minimise retrenchment, help retrenched workers secure fair compensation and do everything possible to help them get back into the job market quickly.
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All At *REDCON 1
 RESPONDING to the challenge, the various units of the Labour Movement have affirmed their readiness and pledged to fight tooth and nail to help our members.
Baring his set of pearlies, e2i’s Chief Executive Officer Zee Yoong Kang said: "No one looks forward to such a crisis but we at e2i are fully prepared to help our workers weather this crisis. We want to help them emerge from it even stronger, more productive and with better prospects."
His brother-in-arms, NTUC Competency Director (Employability Enhancement) Ang Hin Kee added that they are increasing their stockpile of war supplies to fight the battle.
"We are ramping up our capacity as well as expanding the resources and doubling the headcounts in e2i to help workers find employment and be employable," said Mr Ang.
The Industrial Relations ground is also well prepared. The department will provide adequate learning platforms for officers to learn from cases highlighted by veteran practitioners in the field. There will be enhanced efforts to equip officers with information such as training, job placements and various help measures for workers.
"It is always challenging to convince workers to adjust their expectations, to accept wage restraints and face retrenchments. The experiences of those who went through the past recessions will be valuable in handling the current crisis. The Industrial Relations Department will step up our efforts to guide our younger officers," said NTUC Competency Director (Industrial Relations) Cham Hui Fong.
NTUC Competency Director (Industrial Relations Mentoring) Jessie Yeo also added that unit is coming up with an intensive workshop to help the Industrial Relations Officers cope with the pressing times ahead.
*REDCON is used in the military. It is short for Readiness Condition and refers to a unit’s readiness to go into combat. There are four REDCON levels with Level 1 being the most prepared.
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