NTUC set to be designated as Politically Significant Person under foreign interference law

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is poised to be designated as a “politically significant person” (PSP) under Singapore’s foreign interference law, due to its “close nexus and symbiotic relationship” with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), announced the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday.

This designation under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) will require NTUC to disclose annual political donations of S$10,000  or more, and report on its foreign affiliations.

MHA stated that these transparency requirements aim to mitigate the risk of foreign interference within NTUC.

NTUC has 14 days from the date of the notice to submit representations to the Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures, appointed by the Home Affairs Minister.

If confirmed, NTUC will become the third organization designated as a PSP, following human rights groups Maruah and Think Centre.

NTUC has indicated it will review MHA’s requirements for the designation process but is unlikely to make any representations. The labour movement emphasized that it does not accept donations from political entities and remains committed to safeguarding against foreign interference.

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng assured members, partners, and stakeholders that the labour movement remains dedicated to championing workers’ interests with accountability and transparency. “Our core work to better workers’ lives and livelihoods will continue unabated,” he stated.

Foreign Interference Law and Its Implications

Passed in October 2021 after extensive parliamentary debate and push-back from the Workers’ Party (WP) and Progress Singapore Party (PSP), FICA aims to enhance the government’s capability to prevent, detect, and disrupt foreign interference in domestic politics.

Entities defined as PSPs under FICA include political parties, political office holders, Members of Parliament, election candidates, and their agents.

The relationship between NTUC and the PAP dates back to NTUC’s founding in 1961 by pro-PAP unionists. NTUC and its affiliated unions have been members of the international labour movement since the 1960s and maintain foreign affiliations with organizations such as the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Asia Pacific) and the ASEAN Trade Union Council.

Symbiotic Relationship with PAP

NTUC and PAP’s close partnership was highlighted in a May Day Rally speech by then-Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in 2023, where he described the two as “sibling organisations” that collaborate closely. Mr Wong emphasized that the basis of Singapore’s tripartism – collaboration between unions, employers, and the government – lies in the symbiotic partnership between NTUC and PAP.

NTUC’s current labour chief, Ng Chee Meng, a former Cabinet minister, was co-opted into the PAP’s central executive committee (CEC) after losing his parliamentary seat to WP in the 2020 General Election.

Ng famously posted on his Facebook page back in 2021, saying, “Indeed, NTUC Singapore has been the symbiotic partner of the PAP to enable workers towards better lives. Our core purposes are the same, and wearing the logos this morning reminded me of service to country and to fellow Singaporeans”.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) clarified that NTUC’s designation as a PSP will not prohibit its ongoing activities. “MOM will continue to work with NTUC as a key tripartite partner,” a spokesperson said, noting that NTUC’s activities comply with the Trade Unions Act.

The first individual designated as a PSP under FICA was Singaporean businessman Philip Chan Man Ping in February 2024, due to his susceptibility to foreign influence.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam had earlier explained that the designation of PSPs under FICA involves a public interest criterion. The government must determine that the designation is necessary to protect national interests.

The designation of NTUC as a politically significant person raises questions about the effectiveness of the foreign interference law, given NTUC’s deep ties with the PAP and the fact that the government itself is run by the PAP.

This symbiotic relationship prompts a critical reflection: even if there were any foreign interference, would meaningful action be taken?

The close-knit nature of NTUC and the ruling party suggests that the safeguards might serve more as a formality rather than a robust protective measure.

In the end, the designation might highlight the inherent paradox of a system where the watchdog and the entity being watched share such a close alliance.