80th Anniversary Commemorative Book - Singapore Manufacturing ...

Working for good labour relationsOne of the first things the SMF did was to help smoothen industrial relations.For while the SMF represented the interests of manufacturers, this was neverat the expense of nation building.At that time, labour strikes, which threatened economic progress, werecommon. In 1961, there were 116 strikes and lock-outs involving 43,584workers, resulting in the loss of over 400,000 man-days. Strikes were socommonplace that they were the subject of the key message in the SMF’s1961 annual report: “If the industrialisation of Singapore is to achieve thedesired results, then it is not only necessary to have a Government activelypromoting industrialisation, but the people of Singapore as a whole, includingboth employers and trade unions, must actively support it.”On 16 January 1965, the SMF, together with the National Trades UnionCongress and the Singapore Employers’ Federation, signed a historiccharter for industrial progress, which included a productivity code. It wasbelieved to be the first joint-agreement of its kind in Southeast Asia.“I have no doubt that this joint declaration will open a new chapter in thehistory of industrialisation in Singapore as a landmark in the field of industrialrelations,” said the then-Chairman of the Economic Development Board,Mr Hon Sui Sen.The charter set forth the basic objectives of achieving higher productivitythrough closer cooperation between workers and employers on a commonunderstanding of industrial progress through industrial partnership, justiceand peace.42 A Partner in Nation Building 1965 – 1996