Pritam Singh schools Koh Poh Koon on NTUC’s history during debate on workers' representation

During the parliamentary debate on 10 September regarding the Platform Workers Bill, an exchange took place between Workers' Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Aljunied GRC, Gerald Giam, and Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Dr Koh Poh Koon. Responding to Dr Koh's comment about the Workers' Party's position on tripartism, Mr Giam emphasized that WP advocates for a "third way" in the relationship between unions, employers, and the government, which lies between full confrontation and total symbiosis. He called for independent unions that can engage in tripartite dialogue, seeking win-win outcomes for workers and employers alike. Mr Giam clarified that the WP is not opposing cooperation with unions but believes in a balance where unions maintain their independence to protect workers' interests effectively. In response, Dr Koh questioned WP’s position, citing the party's historical roots as a party for workers and unions. He pointed to WP’s founding ideals, as stated on their website, which envisioned a party dedicated to trade unions. Dr Koh expressed confusion over how WP could propose distancing itself from a close relationship with unions, given its historical foundation. Pritam Singh, Leader of the Opposition and WP MP for Aljunied GRC, then stood to reject Dr Koh’s comments, asserting that the political landscape has changed significantly since WP’s founding over 60 years ago. He cited former NTUC Secretary-General Ho See Beng, who reminded the government and employers that the NTUC cooperation in the task of economic development was not one-way traffic. Quoting a report where Mr Ho took issue with the government leaders, particularly the Prime Minister, for speaking unendingly of labor obligations while hardly touching on labor rights and major grievances. "I would be grateful if the senior Minister of State can raise a single example of where an NTUC secretary general or a deputy secretary general has spoken out against a 3G of 4G leader to defend the rights of workers." asked Mr Singh. Mr Singh suggested that the public is entitled to question whether NTUC's close relationship with the People's Action Party (PAP) presents a conflict of interest.

He dismissed Mr Singh’s criticisms, asserting that the PAP’s strong relationship with unions over the past 60 years had contributed to Singapore’s economic success—a relationship he believed the WP had long lost, which Mr Singh refuted.