Statement by Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower, Republic of Singapore at the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference, 14 June 2011, 5:40 PM (SG Time), Geneva, Switzerland

Introduction

1. Mr President, let me first congratulate you on your election to the Presidency of the 100th session of the International Labour Conference.
   
   Recovery from economic downturn
2. When we last gathered here in 2010, the world was just recovering from the global economic recession. Today, economic conditions, especially over much of Asia, are on a firmer footing. Riding partly on this, and on downturn measures formulated by the government together with our tripartite partners, Singapore has recovered quickly. Our GDP grew by a record of 14.5 per cent in 2010, and is expected to grow by 5 to 7 per cent this year. Preliminary estimates put the unemployment rate at 1.9% as at March 2011.
   
   Focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth
3. Going forward, Singapore is repositioning our economic strategy to better achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, so that our workers can enjoy the full fruits of economic progress. A key thrust is to raise productivity and nurture a culture of lifelong learning in our workforce and our enterprises. We are investing 2 billion USD to enhance our Continuing Education and Training (or CET) system over the next few years.
4. Social protection will continue to be important to inclusive growth. To address the employment and income security needs of our ageing workforce, Singapore will implement a re-employment law in 2012. Employers will be required to re-employ eligible older employees from age 62, which is the minimum retirement age, to age 65. This will create more opportunities for our older workers to work longer and save more for retirement. At the same time, their employers and the economy would continue to benefit from their valuable experience and contributions.
5. The tripartite partners have been helping employers and workers prepare for the law. Our efforts have made a significant impact: in 2010, more than three-quarters of our companies allowed their employees to work past age 62, up from 64% in 2009.¹ Even as youth employment becomes an important part of the agenda going forward, we call on the ILO not to forget other vulnerable groups in the workforce, such as older workers.
   
   ASEAN titular membership
6. Over the last three years, Singapore has represented ASEAN as a titular member of the ILO Governing Body. We worked with the ILO to further strengthen ASEAN-ILO collaboration in enhancing labour practices and the overall well-being of workers. Singapore would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all colleagues, especially our ASEAN friends, for your strong support extended to us.
7. We would like to congratulate Vietnam, as the newly elected ASEAN titular member to the ILO Governing Body, as well as to the newly elected deputy members - Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia.
8. Singapore’s titular membership term has been a fruitful one. We benefited from the ILO’s support and expertise, and from sharing experiences with other member states. Last month, at the invitation of the ILO and the Barbados government and social partners, a tripartite delegation from Singapore attended the Tripartite Caribbean Symposium in Barbados to share our experiences in the area of tripartism and social dialogue and productivity, and to learn from our Caribbean counterparts. Singapore also demonstrated its commitment to tripartism, by ratifying the Tripartite Consultation Convention 144 last year.
   
   Ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention
9. This year, I am pleased to announce that Singapore, with the full support of our tripartite partners will ratify the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention.
10. I understand that we are the first Asian country to ratify this Convention. This is a significant step for Singapore as we commit to applying the provisions in the Convention to Singapore-flagged ships so as to achieve decent work for seafarers.
    
    Signing of partnership agreement with ILO
11. I am also pleased to announce that the Singapore Ministry of Manpower will be signing a partnership agreement with the ILO to develop and implement a joint cooperation programme in progressive labour and workplace practices in the ASEAN region. The agreement will help strengthen the cooperation between Singapore and the ILO in helping to enhance HR management and development in the region.
    
    Conclusion
12. In closing, I wish to commend the ILO on its sustained response to the challenges brought about by the global economic crisis and the difficult employment issues arising from the recovery. Mr President, I am confident that under your able leadership, the 100th International Labour Conference will be a success.
    
    Thank you.