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Speech by Minister at 28th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting Opening Ceremony

Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, Ritz-Carlton Millenia

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

 

Introduction

 

A very good morning and welcome to the Opening Ceremony of the 28th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting or ALMM.

 

2      It is my privilege to address this distinguished gathering of ASEAN Labour Ministers and officials dedicated to the advancement and progress of our workforce and workplaces. It is Singapore’s great pleasure to organise the 28th ALMM and Related Meetings, and it is my privilege to be Chair.

 

Theme for 28th ALMM

 

3      The 28th ALMM marks 50 years of regional labour discussions. We have all come a long way. When the first meeting was convened in Jakarta in April 1975, ASEAN was less than ten years old and in an early stage of development. We had to push for the growth of our economies while grappling with fundamental labour issues to ensure the well-being and development of our workers. Even in recent years, we faced new issues emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and digital transformations. Despite these changes, ASEAN has proven resolute over the years, united by a common vision of growth, prosperity and progress.

 

4      It is in this regard that the 28th ALMM convenes under the theme of “Strengthening Resilience and Promoting Innovation”, a call to action that is both timely and imperative. With the changing global landscape, the ALMM needs to continue its dedication in readying our regional workforce to adapt to the future of work.

 

Strengthening Resilience

 

5      To strengthen resilience, we must ensure our workers are equipped with the necessary and the right skillsets to meet the evolving demands of the global economy. This means investing in continuous learning and development, fostering a culture of lifelong education, and embracing flexible learning platforms that cater to diverse needs.

 

6      We must also ensure that no one is left behind. This includes enhancing employment protection and supporting workers in the informal economy.

 

Promoting innovation

 

7      At the same time, we must promote innovation by cultivating an environment where creativity flourishes and new ideas are not just encouraged but actively pursued. ASEAN will need to embrace technology and digitalisation, and see them not as disruptors but as enablers of progress. We should tap on the growth of emerging sectors to create new job opportunities and adapt existing jobs to become more productive.

 

8      Having witnessed the tremendous progress ALMM has made over the past five decades, I have no doubt that we will be able to achieve resilience and drive innovation for the years ahead.

 

50th Anniversary Commemorative Deliverables

 

 9     On a lighter note, it is timely for us to celebrate ALMM’s golden jubilee. To commemorate this milestone, I am happy to share that Singapore has worked with ASEAN Member States to put together two deliverables.

10    First, we have a video that will take us through the past 50 years of ASEAN labour collaboration. I thank ASEAN Member States for your support in putting the video together – I understand that our labour officials worked hard to find archival footages of the good work done by our predecessors, with some dating back to the 1970s itself.

 

11    Second, looking forward into the next 50 years and beyond, and to leave our own mark on the labour track, we will launch a time capsule, with items representative of the work done by us over the past 50 years. My special thanks to the Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr Kao, for agreeing to display the time capsule on the premises of the ASEAN Secretariat, until it is ready to be opened by our successors in 2049. It is my hope that everyone here will be able to witness that milestone, 25 years from now.

 

Conclusion

 

12    In closing, I look forward to a fruitful two days of meetings with everyone, and many more years of growth and prosperity in ASEAN. I wish everyone a lovely stay in Singapore.

 

13    Thank you.