The labour movement has proposed veteran union leader K. Karthikeyan as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) to represent their interests in the House.

Mr K Karthikeyan, 54, is currently the vice president of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the general secretary of the United Workers of Petroleum Industry.

He formed the Singapore Petrochemical Complex Employees' Union in 1986 and has been a union leader since, noted NTUC in their endorsement on Monday.

"In my 28 years serving as a union leader, many issues concerning union members and workers have been resolved and some, by way of government policies. Thus, I sincerely believe that my inputs will be useful in enacting such policies that would make workers' lives better," said Mr Karthikeyan.

He said he is keen to raise issues such as closing the income gap, upskilling and training of workers, enhancing workplace safety, re-employment of mature workers and care and support for the disabled.

Mr Karthikeyan is the tenth union representative since 1992 to be nominated for appointment as an NMP, said NTUC president Diana Chia. She also chairs the NTUC NMP selection panel committee.

Ms Mary Liew is the labour movement's current representative in Parliament, and one of nine NMPs in Parliament.

Their 2 1/2-year terms will end in August. The public has until May 20 to put up names of individuals they deem suitable for the role. The final decision on who is appointed will be made by the President.