Chee Hong Tat Returning to Government Service Full-time; Desmond Tan to Join NTUC

NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Chee Hong Tat will return to the Government full-time and will relinquish his role in NTUC with effect from 13 June 2022.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Desmond Tan will join the Labour Movement. His official appointment will be announced at a later date.

The change follows a cabinet reshuffling by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

NTUC issued a media statement regarding the change of leadership on 6 June 2022. 

A Letter from PM Lee

Mr Lee wrote to NTUC President Mary Liew for Mr Chee’s return to the Government on 2 June 2022.

In his letter, the Prime Minister nominated Mr Tan to replace Mr Chee in the Labour Movement.

The NTUC Central Committee met to deliberate the changes on 3 June 2022. They accepted the proposal on the same day.

The NTUC Central Committee has expressed its appreciation to Mr Chee for his efforts and leadership in uplifting workers in the NTUC Training Executive Committee and the Job Security Council.

Mr Chee’s Labour Movement Journey

Mr Chee joined the Labour Movement on 15 May 2021.

Since then, he has shown himself to be an avid supporter of training and transformation.

In his maiden speech as deputy secretary-general, Mr Chee called for the Government to explore differential treatment between companies with good HR practices and strong union relationships against those that do not develop their local workforce.

He was also responsible for initiatives such as the Operation & Technology Roadmaps to help companies transform, and he actively pushed for wage improvements when he was a member of the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers.

Mr Chee will be appointed as the Senior Minister of State for Finance. He will maintain his position as Senior Minister of State for Transport. 

The Labour Movement Welcomes Mr Tan

The NTUC Central Committee has also accepted the Prime Minister’s recommendation to have Mr Tan serve in the Labour Movement.

Mr Tan was elected a member of parliament following the 2020 general election where he contested in the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) of Pasir Ris-Punggol.

Since then, he has been serving as the Minister of State for Home Affairs (MHA) and Sustainability and the Environment (MSE).

The Prime Minister has appointed Mr Tan as a Minister of State in his Prime Minister’s Office. Mr Tan will relinquish his appointments in MHA and MSE.

Additionally, Mr Tan is also advisor to the Supply Chain Employees’ Union.

In his capacity as Minister of State for MHA, he partnered the Union of Security Employees to enhance the Progressive Wage Model for the security sector.