SNEF chief Stephen Lee steps down after 26 years

SNEF head lauded for helping build ties between Govt, labour and bosses
By Aaron Low, The Straits Times, 31 Jul 2014

ONE of Singapore's biggest employers' groups is getting a new chief: Dr Robert Yap, 62, a veteran of the local logistics industry.

He will take over as Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) president on Sept 1, after Mr Stephen Lee, 67, steps down from the post after 26 years.

The passing of the baton comes with the national economic restructuring effort in full swing.

Since he was elected as SNEF president in 1988, Mr Lee, who is also chairman of Singapore Airlines, has "worked tirelessly" to strengthen employers' partnership with the Government and the labour movement, said SNEF in a statement yesterday.

Labour unions and the Government also paid tribute to Mr Lee, who has been involved in labour relations since 1977, when he began serving in SNEF's predecessor, the National Employers Council.

Mr Lee has also been on the National Wages Council since 1978 - its longest-serving member.

He said: "When I became involved in the work of the National Employers Council in 1977 at 30 years of age, I could not have imagined that I would stay in this area of work for 37 years. It has been a very rewarding and rich experience for me."

Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin thanked Mr Lee for his efforts in building stronger relations between employers, workers and the Government.

"In his own unique ways, he has helped shape the tripartism model as a centrepiece of our economic competitiveness," he said.

"His contributions to industrial peace and harmony and to the economic progress of Singapore cannot be overstated."

The labour unions also praised Mr Lee for always "adopting a fair and balanced approach when managing major issues that had great impact on both businesses and workers".

Mr Lee worked with unions and helped steer companies through four economic downturns, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) noted in a statement signed by its secretary-general Lim Swee Say and president Diana Chia.

It said: "During economic crises, he worked closely with unions and tripartite partners and urged managements to take the difficult but necessary lead in cutting their own wages first to save costs."

Both the Government and the NTUC said they look forward to working with Dr Yap, 62, the chairman and chief executive of home-grown supply chain management company YCH Group.

Dr Yap said that the country has benefited from peaceful and harmonious labour relations.

"Global competition is intense and we have to constantly innovate and increase productivity to stay ahead," he said.

'He's very firm but also willing to listen'
Labour movement pays tribute to outgoing leader of employers' body
By Chia Yan Min, The Straits Times, 31 Jul 2014

MR STEPHEN Lee has seen Singapore through various crises and economic downturns, and is an institution at the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF).

A key figure in carving out the tripartite alliance between the Government, employers and unions, Mr Lee will step down in September after 26 years as the federation's president.

Mr Lee, 67, was elected president of the National Employers Council in 1977, to speak on behalf of employers. The National Employers Council and Singapore Employers Federation were merged to form SNEF in 1980.

He is the chairman of Singapore Airlines (SIA) and previously chaired both port operator PSA International and government trade promotion arm International Enterprise Singapore. He is also a former Nominated Member of Parliament.

Mr Lee is the longest-serving member of the National Wages Council, where he has represented the employers' group for the past 36 years.

During his time at SNEF, he steered Singapore employers through four economic downturns, wage reforms in 1986 and wage restructuring in 2004.

He also contributed in lifting the wages of low-income workers, extending the retirement age and implementing re-employment of older employees.

For all his achievements, Mr Lee is widely respected by unionists and labour MPs as a good listener and expert communicator.

As SIA's chairman, he met leaders from the SIA unions at coffee shops to resolve differences between the unions and management.

Mr Eddie Chew, 65, former president of the Singapore Airlines Staff Union, said Mr Lee "does not have airs, even though he's very smart".

"He comes down to your level and makes you feel comfortable... In negotiations, he's very firm but also willing to listen," said Mr Chew, who was the union's president for about 30 years and is now retired after stepping down in 2007.

Former NTUC secretary-general Lim Boon Heng said Mr Lee is an employer who understands employees, and also gets along well with union leaders.

He recalled union leaders inviting Mr Lee to a drink and a friendly game of poker some years ago.

"The next day, he told me about it, and said he felt bad about winning their money. I am sure he made up for it with a good dinner and drinks later."

Mr Lim added: "It is hard to find a person like Stephen Lee."

Mr Lee has "the ability to communicate very complex things in an understandable and simple way, and therefore get people to support him," said Mr Alexander Melchers, SNEF's vice-president.

"We've had to negotiate many challenges, such as the changes to CPF, and issues surrounding the re-employment of older workers, and Mr Lee was always very masterful at finding new ways to look at issues," he said.

Testing issues ahead for new SNEF chief
By Chia Yan Min, The Straits Times, 31 Jul 2014

LABOUR relations leaders believe Dr Robert Yap will face some testing issues once he takes over as president of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) in September.

The labour crunch, restructuring to raise productivity, hiring of older workers and ongoing debates about the role of foreign manpower in Singapore will all be challenges in his in-tray.

The incoming president will also have to maintain harmonious labour relations between employers, unions and the Government, say labour leaders.

Dr Yap, the chairman and chief executive of supply chain management firm YCH Group and one of four SNEF vice-presidents, will replace outgoing president Stephen Lee.

Mr Alexander Melchers, also an SNEF vice-president, said Dr Yap must "put his own stamp on the discussion" about labour relations. "It's going to be a big challenge because (outgoing president Stephen Lee) has been in the position for many years, and the new president will have to develop his own style," he added.

One of Dr Yap's main tasks will be to keep the labour market "as flexible and liberal as possible, because that will ensure the Singapore economy stays competitive".

"We need to strike a good balance between what is important to Singaporeans as employees, and what is important to them as members of a thriving economy," added Mr Melchers.

MP Zainudin Nordin, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Manpower, said the tight labour market remains a real issue, as does the need to balance employers' requirements and the changing aspirations and demands of workers across all levels.

"(The tripartite movement) is unique to Singapore, and we need leaders who are strong and yet able to articulate the challenges that we need to overcome," he added.

"He also needs to rally employers to support the tripartite partnership that has been in place for a long time."

Singapore Management University associate law professor Eugene Tan said that the deep economic restructuring, productivity drive and concerns over immigration have made the employer's role even more critical.

"Is SNEF up to the challenge, or will it be seen as the weakest link in our tripartism framework?" he asked.

"The foreign-local tussle will continue to be part of the employment landscape for the foreseeable future.

"And much will be expected of SNEF to maintain an even keel in this regard, while also strengthening the Singapore core in our workforce."