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The New Role of Trade Unionism in the 21st Century: Lessons from Singapore

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Tan Ern Ser  and
Irene K.H. Chew
Tan Ern Ser
Affiliation:
National University of Singapore
Irene K.H. Chew
Affiliation:
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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Abstract

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This paper examines the different types of ideological positions (welfarist, realist, and socialist) and, by extension, the roles that trade unions may adopt in the future. It suggests that a distinction can be made between what trade unions should be, by definition, and what they can be as we move into the 21st Century. It argues that the optimum role that trade unions can assume is one in which they are autonomous, yet choose to work in close partnership with a state which is dedicated to improving the welfare of the citizenry. The rationale for this argument is that a strong state is in a position to garner support for beneficial development programs, while autonomous trade unions can ensure that the interest of members are factored into state policies, even as they seek to enhance their voice and ownership at workplace level. The Singapore case is used as a template to support the arguments generated in this paper.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Economic and Labour Relations Review , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , June 1997 , pp. 7 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 1997

Footnotes

*

This is a revised version of our paper presented at the International Industrial Relations Association’s Third Asian Congress held in Taipei, ROC. The authors would like to thank Professor Lansbury for his comments and suggestions.

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