As a follow-up to the Modernisation Seminar, the NTUC began forming cooperatives in the 1970s.

The consumer cooperative (then called NTUC Welcome) immediately moved against rampant profiteering. Welcome sold essential commodities at low prices - to cover the actions of unscrupulous traders who had hoarded such items to push up prices. Welcome's actions brought relief to Singaporeans.

The taxi cooperatives (NTUC COMFORT) dealt with the problem of people operating as unlicensed taxi drivers because jobs were so hard to get. Under COMFORT, they became taxi owners and were able to earn a decent living. The cooperative has since become a listed company.

Until NTUC INCOME came on the scene, low income workers were left without insurance coverage. When breadwinners were stricken down, their families were left in desperate straits. INCOME developed schemes for unions to buy insurance for members, with the low premiums co-paid by the unions and the workers themselves.

The formation of the National Wages Council (NWC) was a big boost for tripartism. Each year, the NWC would review the state of the economy and make suitable recommendations on wage increases. NWC's actions led to more rational wage negotiations.

Towards the end of the 1970s, the NTUC supported government's efforts in restructuring the economy. With labour-intensive industries being moved out, workers without basic education faced the prospect of unemployment. So the labour movement started classes for these workers so that they could have the basis to go on to skills courses.

Another major project undertaken by the labour movement was in providing childcare facilities in housing estates and big companies.