Union and Resort World Sentosa Join Up To Engage Workers

BY REICO WONG

THE National Trades Union Congress received a huge boost as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year - a milestone partnership with Resorts World Sentosa that will add about 7,000 employees, ranging from casino croupiers to hotel-room attendants, to the union.

The agreement was announced yesterday at the annual Labour Movement Workplan Seminar by NTUC secretary general Lim Swee Say, who said the collaboration was a "win-win outcome" for the labour movement and Singapore's first integrated resort (IR).

Union membership fees will be paid by Resorts World Sentosa in a bid to engage and motivate its workers. They will become general-branch members of the Attractions, Resorts and Entertainment Union (Areu), which is affiliated to NTUC. The resort's employees will now enjoy an enhanced range of social and lifestyle benefits in addition to their staff perks, as well as training, education and subsidies like free group-insurance coverage offered through NTUC and Areu.

Mr Lim also talked about NTUC's three key priorities for the year. They are: to achieve inclusive growth and employment for workers; to achieve sustainable growth and better jobs and pay for workers; and to build on NTUC's broad membership base, which includes workers of all collars, ages and nationalities.
"Looking back at the last 50 years, we have been doing the right things, although not necessarily the most popular things," he said.

"It's important that we look ahead, to be responsive to the changing profile and needs of the workforce and economy and, at the same time, continue to strengthen our membership and leadership base."

Source: Asia One