1 I refer to the letter, “Neutrality can’t be guaranteed (May 10), by Mr Roy Chan.

2 The National Trades Union Congress’s (NTUC) mission is to protect and to enhance the interest of workers in Singapore.  We do so in many ways.  Union leaders protect their members against unfair practices, speak up on grievances at the workplaces and advocate for policy changes that benefit workers at the national level.

3 NTUC, by having its Secretary-General in the Cabinet, has an effective means of serving workers' interests.  We are assured that the workers’ voices are heard and our views are taken into consideration at the highest level in policy making.

4 The Secretary-General of NTUC is elected by union leaders by secret ballot every four years.  In fact, Mr Lim Boon Heng served the NTUC for 10 years before he was elected Secretary-General.  His appointment to the Cabinet was also strongly endorsed at the Delegates’ Conference, which is the supreme authority of the labour movement.  We choose to do so to make sure that workers have a stronger voice at the national level.

5 Both NTUC and the People’s Action Party, as institutionally independent organisations, share a common goal to improve workers’ lives and create a better future for all Singaporeans.

John De Payva
President
National Trades Union Congress