Lim Boon Heng - Trade Union Career

Trade Union Career

Lim has a distinguished career with the trade union in Singapore. He spent 26 years working with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) - the last 13 as its Secretary-General. He rose from Deputy Director (1981–1983) to Assistant Secretary-General (1983–1987) and Deputy Secretary-General (1987–1991). Thereafter, he had a two-year stint at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (1991–1993). Upon his return to the NTUC, he was elected Secretary-General and served for another four terms until he stepped down in 2006 December to make way for Lim Swee Say.

Lim is Chairman of NTUC Eldercare since 2000 and Deputy Chairman of Singapore Labour Foundation since 1997. Following his retirement from NTUC, Lim helps to oversee the labour movement's network of nine cooperatives. He is currently Chairman of the Social Enterprises Development Council.

Right from the start, Lim was involved in industrial relations. He often shared with union leaders the importance of "enlarging the cake, not merely fighting for a bigger slice of a small cake". Hence, it is the unionist's responsibility to help companies improve productivity. He served for many years as a member on the National Wages Council (1981–1991, except 1989). Lim was instrumental in pushing for a flexible wage system to help older workers keep their jobs and to preserve jobs during difficult economic times. His pet phrase is that "the best welfare for a worker is a job". He believes that workers' interests are best served if trade unions help them remain employable through continuous upgrading of their skills.

Through his quiet leadership, Lim built up close rapport and trust with the union leaders. He was able to persuade union leaders to support the Central Provident Fund (CPF) cuts and reform during the 1998 recession. He also rallied union leaders and workers to support the restructuring of key companies like PSA International and Singapore Airlines (SIA).

Aware of the many criticisms of his wearing the two hats - that of NTUC chief and Minister in the Cabinet, Lim argued that this arrangement gave labour a place to influence public policymaking at the highest level. He opined that both trade unions and government have the same objective - to better the lives of workers.

Lim is known among union leaders for speaking the truth, even when it hurts. His approach is pro-worker, pro-business. As labour chief, he does not shirk from speaking uncomfortable truths about jobs and wages at risk from globalisation. Examples were when he spoke about "pre-emptive retrenchments" and when he warned of the dismal prospects of a "jobless recovery". Lim's first principle as a unionist is "If what you know is true, stick by it, persist, never mind the criticism, and work towards understanding and acceptance."

In 1996 August, Lim was conferred the honorary Doctor of Business from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) for his significant role in developing and fostering the tripartite relationship among government, employers and workers in Singapore. In November 1996, Lim received the honorary Doctorate of Civil Law from his alma master, the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne for his "combined academic distinction, business acumen, political commitment and social concern". In 2007, the NTUC honoured Lim with the highest of the May Day Awards, the Distinguished Comrade of Labour for his unique and supreme contributions to the trade union movement. The NTUC recognises Lim as having played a key role in building trust among tripartite partners in the tumultuous 1990s when Singapore was rocked by recessions, job losses, and economic restructuring.

Lim was also the Executive Secretary of SMMWU(1981–1991) and advisor to 11 unions affiliated to the NTUC. He was also Chairman of NTUC Pasir Ris Resort Management Committee (1988–1992), Chairman of NTUC Club (1993–2006) and Appointing Governor of the Ong Teng Cheong Institute of Labour Studies (OTC-ILS)(1993–2006).