To the layman, NTUC is a lot of things: discounts, unions, an acronym.

We're pretty sure the word “unusual” is not the first that would come to mind when it comes to the labour movement, though.

But we live in unusual times, especially when us homo sapiens are starting to lose our ability to communicate physically.

Just last week, over the May Day weekend, the labour movement – chiefly labour chief Chan Chun Sing – emphasised how “unusual” Singapore’s labour movement is.

Honestly? With all due respect, the word we think he was searching for should be "current".

As technologies advance and people swipe right to find the one, it is imperative that Singapore’s labour movement doesn't lose sight of the frivolity and attention-deficit generations of the 21st century.

Here are four ways they're moving to keep up:

1. Everything also bespoke

A hipster term, no doubt, but there’s much to learn from those artisanal coffee-sipping younglings.

For one, one size doesn’t fit all. And Chan agrees.

The labour chief mentioned in his blog that NTUC will need to go beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to look at providing tiered services.

As workers get more educated and enjoy better benefits, their needs and wants also have shifted from one of merely survival (collective bargaining comes to mind, for instance) to self-improvement (up-skilling, taking up managerial positions etc).

2. Hook ups are the norm

K. Not these kinds of hookups. The cat agrees.

One totally unsurprising fact was laid out by Prime Minister Lee in his May Day Rally speech: PMETs make up slightly more than half of the current workforce.

In another 15 years’ time, it will be two-thirds.

But how do you reach out to more PMETs when traditionally, unions are associated with blue-collared workers?

To solve this conundrum, NTUC started the U Associates programme that aims to connect professionals to mentors from the same industry. Today, this has reached 200,000 PMETs and this pool is slated to grow as quickly as the rate it is partnering professional bodies for the programme (31 now).

And bearing in mind the fact that 70 per cent of Singapore’s workforce are from SMEs, a U SMEs initiative was also created to reach out to some 70,000 PMETs.

3. It takes a leaf out of cable TV

That’s what NTUC is working towards with its U Associates model.

Apart from its traditional pay-$9-per-month model for its NTUC membership that will provide you a host of privileges and protection, NTUC also has pay-per-use programmes such as the Future Leaders Summit seminars and mentorship programmes.

And since workers nowadays are savvy AF and are clearer about what they want and need, the pay-per-use method is likely to appeal to many.

4. Another three-pin plug

While short of being a universal travel adaptor, NTUC has at least included another three-pin plug in its inventory of plugs.

But first, a little storytelling.

Way back in the 70s, before the universal adaptor was a thing, NTUC formed the original three-pin plug: unions, employers and government. This three-pin plug brought Singapore stability and economic success as MNCs decided it was pretty safe to set up shop in this little red dot.

Today’s plug sees NTUC working with three ministries: manpower, trade and industry and education.

Chan said during the May Day dinner: “The government is not standing still, there is now a tripartite relationship within the Government. NTUC now works closely with MOM, MTI and MOE (Ministry of Education) — MOM to make sure that we have the jobs of the future, MOE to make sure we have the skills of the future, and MTI to make sure we have the careers of the future. NTUC is like a three-pin plug — plugged in to the tripartite Government ministries."

A tripartite within a tripartite?

Top photo by Lim Weixiang

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This article is brought to you in collaboration with the labour movement, to help our workforce prepare for the future of jobs.