SINGAPORE - The labour movement will organise a new international conference this year to discuss tripartism, labour chief Lim Swee Say said on Monday.

In an interview with the media, the outgoing National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general revealed that the event will showcase and take stock of Singapore's model of tripartism as part of SG50 celebrations, as well as being a platform to learn from other countries.

It will be held in October this year in conjunction with both a regional meeting of union leaders as well as the NTUC elections, held once every four years at its National Delegates Conference.

In the interview, Mr Lim, who will move from NTUC to be Manpower Minister next week, spoke about the history of the labour movement since he joined it in 1996. He also highlighted Singapore's track record of a strong tripartite partnership during economic upturns and downturns, and expressed confidence in his successor, deputy secretary-general Chan Chun Sing.

"His office is just next to mine...most of the time I don't see him in his office, he is on the ground all the time," said Mr Lim.

"He listens very well, at the same time he learns fast and thinks fast. I would say he has the core attributes that will make him an effective secretary-general," said Mr Lim.

"Time will tell, but so far, the ground reaction has been most positive."