SINGAPORE: Labour chief Ng Chee Meng has been left out of Singapore’s new Cabinet in a “temporary arrangement”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday (May 21).
Speaking at a press conference announcing his leadership team for the next term of government, Mr Wong noted that the National Trade Union Congress’ (NTUC) secretary-general has traditionally held a position in Cabinet.
“I value this link, and I know that NTUC does too,” he added.
But Mr Wong said he would respect Mr Ng’s request to not be offered such a position, in order to focus on his work in NTUC and Jalan Kayu SMC, which he successfully contested in the May 3 polls.
“But to be clear, this is a temporary arrangement, and I look forward to having the labour chief being part of the Cabinet before too long,” Mr Wong added.
Meanwhile, the government will continue to work closely with the labour movement and ensure that the views of NTUC and union leaders - as well as the interests of Singapore workers - are “fully taken into account” in its deliberations and decisions, said the Prime Minister.
When asked to elaborate about wanting the labour chief in his Cabinet “before too long”, Mr Wong said he “really can’t tell” how long this would take.
“But I’m in close touch with him, and at some point when he’s ready, when we think that things have improved or stabilised, whether it’s him or whether it’s someone else, I can’t say,” he added.
“But certainly, my wish is for an NTUC secretary-general to be in the team.”
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Speaking at a press conference announcing his leadership team for the next term of government, Mr Wong noted that the National Trade Union Congress’ (NTUC) secretary-general has traditionally held a position in Cabinet.
“I value this link, and I know that NTUC does too,” he added.
But Mr Wong said he would respect Mr Ng’s request to not be offered such a position, in order to focus on his work in NTUC and Jalan Kayu SMC, which he successfully contested in the May 3 polls.
“But to be clear, this is a temporary arrangement, and I look forward to having the labour chief being part of the Cabinet before too long,” Mr Wong added.
Meanwhile, the government will continue to work closely with the labour movement and ensure that the views of NTUC and union leaders - as well as the interests of Singapore workers - are “fully taken into account” in its deliberations and decisions, said the Prime Minister.
When asked to elaborate about wanting the labour chief in his Cabinet “before too long”, Mr Wong said he “really can’t tell” how long this would take.
“But I’m in close touch with him, and at some point when he’s ready, when we think that things have improved or stabilised, whether it’s him or whether it’s someone else, I can’t say,” he added.
“But certainly, my wish is for an NTUC secretary-general to be in the team.”
Continue reading...