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SINGAPORE – Society will see major changes in the job, workforce and workplace after the coronavirus crisis, President Halimah Yacob said in his May Facebook message on Thursday (April 30).
He added: “Businesses and workers should make the most of this period to plan, rethink their strategies and enhance workers’ skills to prepare for work after Covid-19.”
Madame Halimah also commented on this year’s unusual May Day celebrations with social distancing measures and activities taken online or canceled.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s May Day Rally will be held online, while the Istana Open House, where Madame Halimah meets with workers and families, has been canceled.
“This May day, we also celebrate in very difficult circumstances,” he said. “Businesses are concerned about the impact on their businesses and workers are concerned about job and income security.”
The Employment Support Plan, which subsidizes workers’ wages, has provided some relief, he added, hoping that employers will retain their staff despite having overcapacity or no activity.
“Despite all these measures, many workers now enjoy less income because there is no overtime pay and self-employed workers find it even more difficult in the current economic conditions to earn a living. I hope that the various governments and assistance from the National Trade Union Congress plans will provide some relief, “he said.
Madame Halimah also emphasized that unions, working with their tripartite partners, are playing an even more important role in supporting companies and workers.
“Unions are close to the ground and understand workers’ concerns and needs well. They can do a lot to help them move through this period and prepare for the eventual opening of the economy after Covid-19,” he said.
“Unions and unionized companies must lead the way as our economy adjusts to the new rules after Covid-19. I am glad that during my discussions and lunches with union leaders before the measures were put in place circuit breakers, I saw your drive to continue to work closely with our tripartite partners to improve the lives of our workers.
“I look forward to continuing to engage unions and discover how we can better support our workers.”
Madam Halimah is a former undersecretary general of the labor movement.
He added that the outbreak has brought out the best in Singapore workers, citing front-line staff and those in a variety of industries that continue behind the scenes in essential roles.
“Other workers are innovating and designing new ways to help each other, the less fortunate and the needy, so that we can emerge from this crisis with more force. All of these are incredibly disinterested acts in the face of great risks, and we should not take their contributions for granted, “he said.
“These are unprecedented times, but our spirit and solidarity remain strong and will help us.”
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