SINGAPORE – Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng is set to succeed incumbent labour chief Chan Chun Sing after he was inducted into the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), paving the way, as widely expected, for Mr Chan to move on to other portfolios in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Ng will serve in NTUC on a part-time basis before going full-time from Labour Day on May 1.

In a press release on Monday (April 23), NTUC announced that Mr Ng and Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry, were co-opted into its central committee as deputy secretaries-general with immediate effect.

Mr Ng is expected to be appointed as the new secretary-general by the central committee at a later date.

At a dialogue session held at NTUC Centre on Monday evening by NTUC president Mary Liew and Mr Chan, both Mr Ng and Dr Koh were introduced to about 150 key union leaders.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Ng said that he is “honoured and humbled” to be invited to join the labour movement, adding that his new role is a continuation of his work at the Ministry of Education (MOE), where he is involved in educating and nurturing the young for the future.

“In the labour movement, it's really an extension of that mission, making the lives of our workers better through lifelong learning for the current realities, as well as preparing for the future,” he added.

The additions to NTUC’s leadership came as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is expected to announce a Cabinet reshuffle. Posting on Facebook Monday evening, Mr Lee said that this will happen “in a day or two” and his “new team will continue to work closely with NTUC to improve the lives of workers and families”.

With Mr Ng poised to lead the labour movement, talk is that he could leave his post in MOE, and the ministry might be led by just one minister as it used to be, instead of two right now — the other being Education Minister Ong Ye Kung (Higher Education and Skills).

However, Mr Ng declined to comment on his status in MOE, and asked for “patience”. TODAY has reached out to MOE and the Prime Minister’s Office for comments.

Last November at the ruling People's Action Party's convention, PM Lee had indicated to NTUC that it "should plan for leadership renewal".

On April 16, Ms Liew then wrote to Mr Lee to ask "for suitable office-holders to serve" the unions, with the aim of strengthening the labour movement's leadership.

In her letter, which was made available to the press, Ms Liew said that the NTUC’s central committee has "deliberated on the leadership team requirements for the next lap of our development".

She added: “To take the labour movement forward, we desire people who have the interests of working people at heart and who can understand the priorities of the labour movement in the face of evolving challenges.

"To this end, should PM require Brother Chan Chun Sing to return to Government in due course, may we request PM to let Brother Ng Chee Meng serve in the labour movement.

"We believe Brother Ng Chee Meng has the desired attributes to lead and connect with the labour movement for the next lap."

When asked why there was a specific request for Mr Ng, Ms Liew told reporters the central committee found that Mr Ng “has been very engaging” and has been involved with unions from various sectors, including the National Taxi Association, Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union and the Singapore Teachers’ Union.

“So, in that sense, we’re very comfortable with him and, also, he has a great heart for the workers,” she said.

In his reply, Mr Lee said that he has asked Mr Chan to “return to the Government”, and agreed to release Mr Ng to serve in NTUC.

Commenting on Dr Koh’s appointment, Mr Lee said that he will serve part-time while retaining his appointments at the ministries. Dr Koh will be "an additional interface between the labour movement and the Government agencies", he added.

Mr Lee agreed with Ms Liew that strengthening the training and skills of workers and expanding NTUC's outreach are key priorities in the country's next phase of development.

This is the first time that NTUC has co-opted two deputy secretaries-general at once. It now has three deputy secretaries-general, the third being Mr Heng Chee How, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.

DOING THE GROUND WORK

Mr Ng said that speaking to workers to have a better grasp of their aspirations and challenges will be his immediate priority.

A key part of his work will also involve helping workers reap “real and tangible” benefits from the Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs), such as through better-paying jobs.

First announced in Budget two years ago, the ITMs come under the S$4.5 billion Industry Transformation Programme, which aims to boost restructuring efforts for 23 industries, including aerospace and financial services. All 23 roadmaps have since been launched.

Dr Koh said that his involvement in charting the roadmaps over the last two years at the Ministry of Trade and Industry has made him realise that there is a need for such plans to be “more percolated down to the ground, especially when it comes to the workers and unions”.

So, when the opportunity to join the labour movement came, he thought “it’s a good thing to do” and it will hopefully allow him to make a “genuine contribution”.

Commenting on the new leadership appointments, Mr Chan said in Facebook post that NTUC will “benefit greatly” from Mr Ng’s experience in MOE and the various leadership roles he has held in his career.

As for Dr Koh, with his experience in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, he will be an “asset in the areas of training and helping to operationalise” the ITMs.

“The NTUC team will work closely with our partners and stakeholders to strengthen the network and further our cause to be a strong, relevant and representative labour movement,” Mr Chan added.