GE2025: More support for labour MPs means greater mandate to speak for workers, says Chan Chun Sing

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SINGAPORE - The stronger the support given to the labour chief and MPs, the greater their mandate and confidence to speak for workers beyond NTUC, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.

Furthermore, Singaporeans should choose the strongest team to represent them on the world stage in the upcoming polls. This is important as others would want to know they are negotiating with leaders who have the backing of their people, said Mr Chan, who helms the PAP team contesting Tanjong Pagar GRC. 

“Otherwise, it would not be so easy for us to get the best package or deal for fellow Singaporeans when we are facing tough negotiations,” he said during a walkabout at Redhill Market on April 27.

Mr Chan was responding to Mr Pritam Singh’s rally speech on April 26, where the WP leader suggested there was no need to elect PAP’s labour movement candidates, as they can continue helping workers even if they do not enter Parliament.

The WP is challenging NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng in Jalan Kayu SMC, and NTUC assistant secretary-general Desmond Choo in Tampines Changkat SMC.

Mr Singh also took aim at the National Trades Union Congress’ close relationship with the PAP, noting that labour MPs had been silent on the

Allianz-Income saga in August 2024,

when the issue was first aired in Parliament.

Multiple opposition parties have raised the issue during the hustings. The proposed deal by the German insurer to buy a majority stake in Singapore’s Income Insurance fell through later in 2024.

Asked about Mr Singh’s remarks, Mr Chan, who was labour chief from 2015 to 2018, said it is not merely about what PAP labour MPs say in Parliament, but what they do behind the scenes.

“It’s a lot of hard work. Each and every NTUC officer, including labour MPs, has to work closely with the companies and tripartite partners in order to achieve what they can for our workers.

“So I think if people say anything that is different from this, perhaps they don’t fully understand how our tripartite system works.”

As for the Allianz-Income deal, Mr Chan said

PAP MPs had raised the issue

, among others, “both internally and externally”.

“That shows the diversity of views that they bring to the table. That shows how they are fighting for the workers to have better jobs and wage growth,” he said.

Mr Chan was accompanied by other members of the PAP slate, which is facing the People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) in the May 3 polls.

The PAP’s candidates for Radin Mas SMC and for Queenstown SMC, Mr Melvin Yong and Mr Eric Chua, respectively, were also present.

Mr Yong, the incumbent for Radin Mas, spoke about two community initiatives involving hawkers. One was launched in 2021 during the pandemic, for customers to buy free meals and drinks for others. Since then, more than 100,000 free meals and drinks have been given away, he said.

Another is a programme where vouchers are distributed to residents for them to enjoy food discounts. This started in August 2024 with 40 participating stalls, and there are now more than 70 across the constituency.

At the midway point of the 2025 General Election campaign, Mr Chan urged voters to choose people who will get things done for them, and not “people who will ask other people who will get things done for them”.

He said potential MPs must not only take care of residents in the local community and represent them at the national level, but also represent Singaporeans on the international stage.

On the PAR’s proposals for free education, school meals and healthcare for Singaporean children – which the opposition party spoke about at a rally a day earlier – Mr Chan said voters should assess them based on several criteria.

For instance, how such proposals would be paid for and whether they would help attract more investment and create better jobs.

Another question to ask is whether these suggestions would help companies earn more to pay workers better wages, he said. That is because the best way to take care of workers and residents is for them to have a good job and for the income to keep growing, said Mr Chan.

“That is the best way to counter any cost-of-living concerns,” he said, adding that the Government will continue to help where it can by redistributing the fruits of growth.

Asked what value labour MPs bring to the table, if elected, Mr Chan said workers and unionists want their interests to be represented in Parliament and in the Cabinet.

“So when they (labour MPs) get strong support, (and) they say something in Parliament and Cabinet, people there will sit up and take them very seriously because they know that they are not speaking as individuals, but... on behalf of workers and unionists,” said Mr Chan.