Tripartism was path to growth, social progress, Mr Lee believed
(L-R) NTUC Deputy Secretary General and Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing, NTUC Secretary General Lim Swee Say, NTUC Deputy Secretary General Heng Chee How observing a minute of silence with members of the public as respect for Mr Lee Kuan Yew on March 24, 2015. Photo: Robin Choo
SINGAPORE — Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew created tripartism because he believed that economic growth is the means to the end objective of improving the lot of workers, said labour chief Lim Swee Say today (March 24).
“He came to the conclusion that the only way...to harmonise the twin objectives of keeping the economy growing and, at the same time, making the social progress moving is through tripartism — getting the Government, the employers, the unions and workers all working together,” said Mr Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
“If not for his vision...his leadership...his passion in giving his highest priority to social progress, always putting people first, I think we will not be here today,” he told the media at the NTUC Centre at Marina Boulevard.
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) had earlier set up a tribute centre at Level 1 of the building, where people can submit their condolence messages until Sunday.
At around noon today, about 500 people, comprising NTUC staff and Central Business District workers out for lunch, gathered at the tribute centre to observe a minute of silence as a mark of respect for Mr Lee. Singapore’s first Prime Minister died on Monday morning at the age of 91.
Mr Lim noted that it is never easy to say farewell to a leader, to a brother, who is so much trusted, so much respected.
“I think as a labour movement, we try to do it in the best way possible, to remember him, to salute him, and most of course, to say ‘thank you’ to him,” he added.
Mr Koh Seng Thor, 55, was among those who came to pen his tribute at the centre during his lunch-break.
Mr Koh, who grew up in a Bukit Timah kampung before moving to a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat in 1974, said: “The first 10 years (after independence) was very tough. It takes a very remarkable person to make Singapore grow so fast within the first 10 years.”
Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute assistant director K T Mathew remembered the time Mr Lee came to his school in the early 1960s.
“I was very impressed with the way he spoke and delivered his message,” said the 65-year-old.
He noted that the 1960s was a time when it was fashionable for leaders to project the image of an ideologue.
“But Mr Lee Kuan Yew was very realistic about what we can do. He was very pragmatic. That helped us to be what we are today,” said Mr Mathew.
Russian Sergey Bogatyrev, a 46-year-old permanent resident, went to the NTUC centre after work to pay his tribute.
“I would like to thank Mr Lee for all he has done for the country, and for the opportunity for representatives of many nations to live in one place together,” said Mr Bogatyrev, who runs a financial consultancy and has lived in Singapore for the past five years.
