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The Singapore Labour Movement has put in place a 3-Flow system to induct, nurture and renew union leadership. And as leaders Flow On, they will still play an important role serving as mentors and advisors in sharing their experience and wisdom with younger leaders and in serving the Labour Movement in different ways.



Given immediate past NTUC President John De Payva’s long and extensive experience in the international labour movement, he would continue to be a valuable contributor to NTUC’s active presence in the international arena. Bro. John is also the Secretary-General of the Singapore Manual and Merchantile Workers' Union (SMMWU) with membership across private sector commerce/ retail workers.



Hence, the NTUC Central Committee, at is first meeting after the close of the NTUC National Delegates’ Conference 2011 on 8 December 2011, has appointed Brother John as “President Emeritus”. This accords him the respect as he continues to represent our interests in the international arena.



Brother John has served as NTUC President from 1997 to 2011. He is the longest serving NTUC President and has contributed much to the Singapore Labour Movement.



Brother John has also been very active in the international labour movement. He started his international engagement with the then-International Federation of Commercial, Clerical, Professional, and Technical Employees (FIET) in 1994, followed by the Union Network International (UNI), successor to FIET. Currently, he is the Titular Member on the UNI World Executive Board, and holds other various UNI and UNI-Asia Pacific appointments, including the President of UNI Apro Professional & Managerial Staff (P&MS) Inter-professional Group.