The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Law Society today jointly launched a new initiative to help educate union workers on their legal rights.

Called Law Works, it includes monthly legal clinics at One Marina Boulevard, where lawyers will give free advice to workers in various areas of law.

Regular talks, and a series of printed booklets summarising various areas of labour law that affect workers, will also be available.

Speaking at the launch ceremony this morning, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon called the collaboration "timely" in the light of impending changes to labour laws.

For example, the Manpower Ministry is now reviewing the Employment Act and last year, the Retirement and Re-Employment Act was passed.

"Amidst these changes to labour laws, it is critical that the workers know their existing rights and obligations and apprise themselves of the upcoming changes," he told about 200 members of the legal fraternity. He added that such knowledge would allow workers to both to protect themselves from abuse and understand their responsibilities.