I. Introduction Industrial relations always play an important role in economic development of every country in the world. Singapore’s labor industrial relations have become a solid foundation for the dramatic improvement of Singapore’s economy for the last 50 years. However, just because it was very successful in the past does not necessarily mean that it will continuously bring similar outcomes in the future. The rapid transformation of the world will provide new challenges and shape a different set of environment. The ability to adapt to the new challenges and capture new opportunities will be crucial for the survival of the individual as well as organizations and nations. In this regard, this paper will provide a brief explanation about the history and key features of the industrial relations system including the trade unions in Singapore. Secondly, it will provide an analysis about industrial relations in Singapore and its future challenges. Finally, it will provide recommendation for Singapore to form a new strategy in its industrial relations system. II. The Brief History of Industrial Relations in Singapore The story of Singapore’s labor management can be traced back in 1959 when Singapore became self-governing state. The labor condition at that time was turbulent …show more content…
It has a distinctive feature where the major political party (PAP) and the labor movement have a strong relationship. The strong influence of PAP in the NTUC begin in late 1970’s when the Government rewrote the NTUC’s charter and enable non-members to take key position in the organization. It was possible because the government received a full support from the majority of Singaporean to focus on economic development for the survival of the nation. Consequently, the government’s influence has been very strong in NTUC, supported by the fact that some of governing body and delegates are filled by MP members from
David Brody argues that the rise of contractual or collective bargaining relationships during the post WWII era formalized the relationship between employers and unions, but simultaneously began to put a break on shop floor activism. Explain Brody’s argument and, where relevant, incorporate Weber’s theory of bureaucracy.
The primary objective of a trade union is to improve the well being of its members. They were formed to counter the superior economic power of the employers. It has long been recognised that the market dominance of employers could onl...
Since the birth of the country, labor unions have played a critical role in the struggle between capital and labor. In the 19th century, with the increasing shift from agriculture to industrial work, conditions for workers deteriorated, as workers “lived in slum tenements owned by the company, were paid in scrip, which they could use only at company stores, and were evicted if their work was unsatisfactory” (Zinn, 2003, p. 245). Additionally, workers labored in deplorable and unsafe conditions. For example, “146 women burned to death or jumped to their deaths in the infamous Triangle fire” (Hodson & Sullivan, 2008, p. 131), the tragedy a result of unsafe conditions and locked doors “to prevent workers shirking or stealing” (Hodson & Sullivan, 2008, p. 132).
Factories were known for their ill treatment of their employees, long hours and dirty and unsafe conditions. In 1866, unions started to form to improve working conditions for the workers. A fundamental problem faced by democratic societies is as long as people live their lives individually and go their separate ways and be selfish individuals, they are unlikely to meet collectively to resolve issues. There needs to be meaningful unity among people to alleviate this problem to get people obliged to one another, so there is a willingness to sacrifice for shared goals. Bonding of its citizens creates a democracy. Unions seemed to offer the middle class a chance to become a crucial part of fostering institutions of constitutional democracy. The unions have went through several transitions, but have always worked for the working force. I will discuss the history of the various unions, their wins and losses, and the struggle of the employee to achieve democracy in the workplace.
Instructively, it behooves to set the premise on the background of the industrial relation system in the within the territorial jurisdiction of the Federation of Australia. Pursuant to section 51 under the Australian Constitution, the Federal Government has the powers to legislate with regard to conciliation as well as arbitration with a view to prevent and settle industrial disputes that step out of the confines of any given state (Fleming, 2004). Previously, the Conciliation and Arbitration Act of1904 had been the relevant Act in this respect, and it provided for the existence of trade unions and instituted the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act Court (Fleming, 2004). The commonwealth Court lost powers to the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission in 1956; subsequently, it was renamed to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) which serves to resolve dis...
Unions traditionally were “a continuous association of wage earners for the purpose of maintaining or improving the condition of their employment” (Webb & Webb, 1894, as cited in Bryson, 2011b, slide 7). Their function was to campaign for compassionate management procedures, equivalent bargaining power between employers and employees, and for fairness and democracy to be initiated into the workplace (Bryson, 2011a). Union activity at this time tended to focus on nationwide bargaining for industrial groups (Geare, 1983, as cited in Haynes, 2005), with their role seen as wage bargainers and in...
Zhu, Y., Warner, M., & Feng, T. (2011). “Employment relations “with Chinese characteristics”: The role of trade unions in China.” International Labour Review, vol. 150, no. 1-2, pp. 127-143. [03 April 2014]
An arbitrator’s function is usually to interpret the collective bargaining agreement between the parties, not to apply his or her standards of what is right in a given situation. The courts have sought to compel labour and management to a peaceful resolution of grievances through arbitration. The Supreme Court has given support to the arbitration process in a series of decisions, and judicial deferral to arbitration has become a basic tenet of national labour policy. Bibliography Byars, L. L. (1997). The.
The pluralistic approach accepts the legitimacy of workers forming themselves into trade unions to express their interests, influence management decision and achieve their objectives. The pluralistic approach sees conflicts of interest and disagreements between managers and workers over the distribution of profits as normal and inescapable. The role of managers/management would lean towards enforcing, controlling, persuading and coordinating. Trade unions play an important role in this approach, being that employees can join unions to protect their interests and influence decision making by the management. Trade unions balance the power between management and employees, hence its an important factor in this approach and industrial
Singapore as a country has had various transformations throughout its history, however the period 1950 and 1970 was quite critical. Much of these changes had a lot to do with the development of trade and manufacturing. This is without forgetting the financial sector where the intention was to come up with a financial hub that could be used in economic development. Looking at the case of Singapore, we would say that it is a productive economy with a very high market competition. This observation has been further clarified by the Swiss International Institute for Management Development, going with their report that they released in the year 2001 (Chellaraj & Mattoo, 2009). In this study, we intend to evaluate the case of political economy of development in Singapore and examine the tensions between the state and various economic institutions. In additions to examining this institution, we would also like to examine how these variables have contributed towards the attainment of favorable growth rates and economic prosperity.
In addition, after the 2011 Singapore general election, the government of Singapore has greatly changed its economic approach and it seems to be better for the economy of Singapore so far. On the other hand, measures have also been taken to cool down the property market which has constantly affected inflation rates, also tightened the foreign labour policies that constantly influence the labour market and unfold its impacts onto the Singapore’s economy as it comes back in one round. The unemployment rate in Singapore has been maintaining itself as being one of the lowest numbers in the world. The majority of Singapore’s labour force is well educated and highly skilled. Even primary education is a must for all citizens (Economywatch.com, 2010). In addition, for the year 2010, Singapore had the 8th largest current account balance in the world at US$49.454 billion. To conclude, Singapore has come so far from its sunken economy since independence in 1965 to become a booming and prosperous economy that it is
The laws and regulations surrounding Industrial Relations since the 1900’s have, at each reform, placed tighter constraints on the amount of power unions are able to exert. The reforms have also radically increased managerial prerogative, through an increased use of individual bargaining, contracts and restrictions imposed on unions (Bray and Waring, 2006). Bray and W...
Labor relations emerged as response towards combating the economic unrest that accompanied the 1930 Great depression. At this period, massive unemployment, decreasing salary and wages, and over competition for jobs despite poor working conditions, was being experience; especially in the US. In turn employees were aggravated and therefore resorted to labor strike that often escalated to violence. To avoid such incident that could potentially harm further an ailing economy, the US government set precedent by passing their first related Labor relationship act, also referred to as the Wagner act. This act excluded public sector and some employees in the informal sector, farm workers to be specific. However, the progressive change in business and labor environment, necessitated changes in the labor laws to ensure they are more inclusive (Haywood & Sijtsma, 2000).
There are many different approaches and theories regarding industrial relations nowadays. In order to mount an opinion on which is the ‘best’ or most appropriate theory of industrial relations, each theory will have to be analyzed. The three most prevalent theories of industrial relations which exist are The Unitarist theory, The Pluralist theory and The Marxist theory. Each offers a particular perception of workplace relations and will therefore interpret such events as workplace conflict, the role of trade unions and job regulation very differently. I will examine each of these theories in turn and then formulate my own opinion regarding which is the ‘best’ or most appropriate theory.
Industrial Relations is a multidisciplinary field dealing with the study of employment relationship in union and non-union organizations. There have been various theories of industrial relations in place, but the first and most influential theory was put forward by John Thomas Dunlop. Dunlop, as a labor economist, remodelled the work of sociologists and developed a framework of industrial relations system. He developed the System’s Theory which stressed on the interrelationship of institutions and behaviors that enables one to understand and explain industrial relation rules.