Leggett, Chris (1993) Corporatist trade unionism in Singapore. In: Frenkel, Stephen, (ed.) Organized Labor in the Asia-Pacific Region: a comparative study of trade unionism in nine countries. Cornell International Industrial and Labour Relations Report, 24 . ILR Press, Ithaca, NY, USA, pp. 223-246.

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Abstract

[Extract] In 1982, an amendment to section 2 of the Singapore Trade Unions Act of 1941 substituted the trade union objects of consensus and productivity improvement for the confrontational objects of the original ordinance. That the trade unions were able to revise their rules and constitutions accordingly is an indication of the extent of the transformation of industrial relations in Singapore since the emergence of unionism following the end of World War II. This transformation has mostly defied categorization except that it has been observed to be "an amalgam of elements familiar to those in Western Europe, the USA, Australia and Japan, but ... distinctive in that the overwhelmingly predominant role is played by the state rather than unions or management" (Levine 1980:78). At the same time, it has been acknowledged that Singapore unions offer a sense of inclusiveness for what otherwise might be an atomized work force, and it is argued here that they serve to legitimize the economic and social imperatives set for Singapore by its ruling elite.

Item ID:	17110
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-0-87546-198-4
Keywords:	trade unions, Asia, Singapore
Related URLs:	Publisher
Date Deposited:	13 Sep 2011 03:58
FoR Codes:	15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1503 Business and Management > 150306 Industrial Relations @ 100%
SEO Codes:	91 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 9104 Management and Productivity > 910401 Industrial Relations @ 100%
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