News

WORK LIFE BALANCE AND INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY JAPANESE UNIONS STUDY SINGAPORE SYSTEMS Working long hours is a part of a work culture in Japan. Trade unions are keen to encourage their members to maintain a proper work life balance. Japanese Trust Bank union leaders were on a study visit to Singapore on 9-10 June 2008. They were interested to learn various compensation schemes for extra hours of work and how employees are encouraged to maintain a proper work life balance in Singapore. Japanese delegation met the officials of Singapore Insurance Employees Union [SIEU], DBS Bank staff union [DBSSU] and Singapore Bank Employees’ Union [SBEU]. Entitlement for overtime claims and methods of computations, setting up of Key Performance Indicators for industry and enterprise level to determine variable bonus payment were explained by Singapore unions to the visitors . Aging workforce was a common concern for banking unions in both countries. Trade union leaders shared experiences of different strategies adopted by respective countries on the issue of re-employment of retired employees. White Color exemptions from union coverage were also another issue the Japanese were interested to study in Singapore. Singapore National Trade Union Congress [SNTUC] officials explained the new employment trends in Singapore such as Flexi-hours, part time work, job sharing and telecommunicating to the visiting delegation. The guidelines set up by the tripartite committee on work-life strategy were shared with the Japanese. Work Life Work Fund with the government assistance helps employers in Singapore to introduce work life balance measures enabling employees to manage work and family responsibilities. An annual award scheme is also introduced by the tripartite committee to recognize those companies who practice excellent work life balance scheme for employees. Elder and Child care leave, family care facilities, child/elder care centers, counseling services are some employee support schemes introduced by Singaporean companies to promote work life balance for their employees. The Japanese Trust Bank union leaders met Christopher Ng Regional Secretary at the UNI Apro office. Christopher welcomed the delegation and highlighted on the principles and relative value attached to human factor in the Japanese industrial relations practices. He said many trade unionists in the region considered the Japanese system as a model which promotes partnership. . Speaking on the accelerated economic integration taking place in ASEAN and the scope of its enlargement with emerging economies like China, India, Japan and Korea, Christopher reiterated that Japan should take up an influential role in the economic integration process in ASEAN. UNI Apro Finance President Koji Ishikawa led the delegation. Akira Matsuo, Chairman of National Federation of Trust Bank Employees’ Union, Kenichi Satoh, President, Sumitomo Trust & Banking Employees' Association and Kenichiro Takayanagi President, Chou Mitsui Trust Group Workers’ Union comprised the three member delegation.