Speech at 2nd ASEM LEM Conference "More and Better Jobs"

Mr Gan Kim Yong, Acting Minister for Manpower, Bali International Convention Centre, Indonesia

Good morning, Mr Chairman, Fellow Labour Ministers, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to join you today at the 2nd Asia-Europe Meeting Labour and Employment Ministers (ASEM-LEM) Conference. On behalf of the Singapore delegation, I would like to thank the Indonesian Government for hosting this meeting as well as the warm hospitality extended to us.

2. The theme for this year's conference aptly underlines the importance of strong partnership and cooperation among ASEM members to take the ASEM dialogue, a step forward.

3. At the inaugural ASEM Conference held in Germany, we discussed the opportunities and challenges presented by globalisation. The benefits of globalisation are extensive. It promotes economic growth, helps alleviate poverty and gives access to a wider pool of investments, business opportunities and manpower beyond national boundaries. However, globalisation also means greater exposure to increasingly volatile business cycles. Open economies will find it increasingly difficult to shield themselves from external economic forces. This is all too well illustrated in the current global financial turmoil and economic uncertainties.

4. It is therefore timely that this conference focuses on regional cooperation and partnerships to promote full and productive employment. As the impact of the global financial crisis is now being felt world-wide, the need to keep our labour markets competitive and our workforces employable becomes even more critical.

5. Singapore has consistently kept our labour market flexible and responsive. For example, in the past few years, we have introduced wage-restructuring initiatives so that our wages are more flexible and can be adjusted quickly in response to economic downturns. We have also focused on training our workers so that they can stay employable and be economically mobile to secure new jobs and better jobs. This, together with our continued efforts to foster strong tripartite relations and good workplace practices, are important elements to maintain and enhance economic competitiveness.

6. Singapore recognises that more can be achieved through cooperation and partnership. We need to share experiences and tap on each other's expertise to strengthen our labour markets and improve workplace practices. Hence, we have initiated efforts on this front at the ASEAN level. For example, in the area of Occupational Safety and Health or OSH, Singapore hosted the ASEAN Policy Dialogue on National OSH frameworks in 2007. Through the dialogue, ASEAN members shared their OSH best practices and gained a better understanding of the OSH frameworks in the region. The event concluded with an action plan that committed member countries to further raise OSH standards in ASEAN.

7. Singapore also led the efforts of the ASEAN Ad-hoc Working Group on Progressive Labour Practices to Enhance Competitiveness of ASEAN. The working group made good progress on key areas such as industrial relations, skills development, social protection and migrant workforce, to support ASEAN integration. In recognition of the importance of the working group's contribution, it is now a permanent platform within the ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting.

8. I look forward to the exchanging ideas and experiences on manpower and employment issues with fellow Labour Ministers from Asia and Europe.

9. I am confident that this meeting will be a fruitful and constructive one.

10. Thank you.