[1] NTUC, along with its tripartite partners, the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM), work together to tackle issues such as job re-creation, raising the effective retirement age, skills training and upgrading of the workforce, promotion of fair and progressive employment practices, and a flexible wage system, among other labour-related issues.
In the 1960s, the tripartism institution was still weak, but the formation of the National Wages Council (NWC) in 1972 and later the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP) in 2007 helped strengthen ties between the members.
The role of NWC is to formulate wage guidelines in line with Singapore's social development and long-term economic growth.
Every year, NWC convenes to discuss wage and wage-related matters, and issues guidelines pertaining to the remuneration of Singapore workers based on tripartite consensus.
NTUC quickly became the leading trade union organization due to their effectiveness and the symbiotic relationship with the People's Action Party (PAP), which was then institutionalized by formal links.
NTUC's support for the new law led to a massive inflow of foreign investments thus resulting in a rapid expansion of Singapore's economy.
[5] Changes in the labour scene brought unsettling effects on workers in the unionized sector, causing membership to drop.
During the 1960s, the tripartism institution was still weak, but the formation of the National Wages Council (NWC) in the 1970s boosted the collaboration within the labour movement.
The government changed its strategic focus from labour-intensive manufacturing to more skilled and technology-focused, causing workers without basic education to face unemployment.
To help the nation recover, NWC recommended the unions to forgo the 1985 wage increase and accept cuts in the employers' contributions to the Central Provident Fund (CPF).
The protesters which include some Chinese students blocked buses from leaving the depots, crippling the city's entire transport system.
The two-day strike, which was sanctioned by then Secretary General of the NTUC, Ong Teng Cheong, was over the alleged victimisation and dismissal of six union members and officials.
The strike resulted in an agreement to reinstate Abdul Rahman, who was the treasurer of the Hydril branch union, as well as compensate each of the five others who were dismissed the year before.