More support for research into key labour issues

New NTUC initiative provides funding, access to resources and data sharing

- Sharon Salim

Research on pressing labour issues such as the impact of generative artificial intelligence on manpower needs will get a fillip with greater support for industry experts, academics and researchers engaged in the endeavour.

The Labour Alliance co-laB (Lab), comprising an initial pool of 50 local experts, was launched by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) during a conference on Sept 26.

The experts will receive more support in areas such as funding and access to resources and data sharing under the new initiative.

Said NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng: "As workplaces evolve, NTUC is also innovating and adapting to meet the changing needs of our workforce.

"Our collaboration with academics and research institutions allows NTUC to conduct independent research and strengthen our advocacy, bridging informed and impactful policies to improve workers' lives and livelihoods."

The collaboration is aimed at leveraging research to influence labour policies and practices that will uplift the wages, welfare and work prospects of workers.

For instance, research topics that Lab aims to cover in the first year include workplace fairness and the employability of older workers. In the next three years, key research themes, such as emerging labour trends and employment and productivity, will be prioritised.

Speaking at a media engagement session on Sept 16, NTUC assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay said that prior to the official launch of Lab, many Lab members had already been working with the labour movement on a host of projects and research pieces in the past couple of years.