Dear Editors,

1 In his letter (“Don't use public resources to win votes”, ST, March 28), Mr Seto Hann Hoi wished for the “neutrality of apolitical organisations”, including unions, at the General Election and gave the impression that the labour movement's support for the People's Action Party (PAP) is less than correct.

2 Perhaps, he was not aware of the history of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and indeed of the PAP.  The NTUC and PAP have a symbiotic relationship that can be traced to PAP's labour roots.  When the PAP held its inaugural meeting at the Victoria Memorial Hall in 1954, 90 per cent of those present were trade unionists.  More than half the PAP's first Central Executive Committee were unionists.

3 In July 1961, the PAP split into two parties, with the pro-communist dissidents forming the Barisan Sosialis.  The ideological differences that split the PAP caused a corresponding split in the labour movement.

4 The group that supported the PAP, led by the late Mr Devan Nair, formed the NTUC.  The pro-communists formed the Singapore Association of Trade Unions (SATU) to back the Barisan Sosialis.  The Barisan Sosialis subsequently lost electoral support and its political fortunes waned.  So did SATU.

5 The symbiotic relationship between NTUC and the PAP have grown and strengthened over the last 45 years as they worked together to improve the lives of workers and to create a better future for all Singaporeans.

6 The NTUC and the PAP are institutionally independent organisations.  The NTUC supports the PAP as long as the ruling party shares the same goal as the NTUC in securing a better life for workers.

7 This mutual trust is hard-earned and precious, and is seen by many countries as contributing to Singapore's competitive edge.  It has ensured a stable investment climate which has created jobs for our workers and improved their lives, year after year.

8 As the NTUC President for the last nine years and the Secretary-General of the Singapore Manual and Mercantile Workers' Union for the last 18 years, I have seen how this relationship has benefited our workers – the rights, welfare and quality of life of our workers have improved tremendously over the years.

9 NTUC celebrates its 45th Anniversary this year with the slogan "Together, a Brighter Future for All!"  Indeed, with this NTUC-PAP symbiotic relationship, this is what workers can confidently look forward to.

John De Payva
President
National Trades Union Congress

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