SINGAPORE - The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) on Tuesday appointed Cabinet minister Chan Chun Sing as its deputy secretary-general.

It also passed a resolution to co-opt Mr Chan, 45, into its central committee.

"The central committee warmly welcomed Mr Chan onboard the tripartite journey towards better jobs for all," said NTUC President Diana Chia and secretary-general Lim Swee Say in a statement.

This came after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed on Jan 23 to the central committee's request for Mr Chan, who is Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Defence, to join NTUC to help strengthen labour leadership. Mr Chan, who started serving NTUC part-time with immediate effect, will do so full time from April 1.

He is slated to run for union elections later this year, in what is seen as a precursor to him taking over from Mr Lim as labour chief. Mr Lim turns 62 in July next year and will not be able to serve beyond then due to an NTUC rule to encourage leadership renewal. Mr Lim became NTUC secretary-general in January 2007, taking over from Mr Lim Boon Heng, who led the NTUC for 13 years.

Mr Chan will continue in the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Defence till April 1, and remain in the Cabinet with Mr Lim.

Mr Chan's replacement will be announced after the Budget debate.