SM Lee calls for renewed tripartite ties to safeguard port jobs amid AI, trade headwinds

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on unions and leaders at the PSA to work with the Government to help workers adapt through continuous reskilling just like in the past.

SINGAPORE – Protecting port workers from being left behind by technological disruption and shifting global trade patterns requires a strong, forward-thinking partnership between unions, port management and the Government.

Making this comment at the Singapore Port Workers Union’s (SPWU’s) 80th anniversary dinner on Oct 17, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on unions and leaders at the PSA to work with the Government to help workers adapt through continuous reskilling, just like in the past.

Only with upskilling will workers be able to take on higher-value, technology-driven roles and safeguard their long-term livelihoods.

“As in past waves of transformation, we must not leave workers to face these changes alone. More than ever, we will need a strong and well-led SPWU, working closely with a competent and innovative PSA management team, to secure PSA’s success, and workers’ livelihoods,” said SM Lee.

“This is the way to build a disciplined and skilled workforce with a strong Singapore core, and secure for them a fair share of the fruits of their labours.”

The port industry in the past has undergone several rounds of transformation as technology advanced, with the change from manual stevedoring and operators controlling yard cranes, to remotely operated automated guided vehicles.

Each time the jobs changed, the PSA retrained workers to take up new roles, while the union leaders persuaded workers to adopt a flexible mindset and upgrade themselves, said SM Lee.

He was speaking to over 600 attendees that included union leaders, members and management representatives at The Ritz-Carlton, where he was also conferred the SPWU Honorary Membership for his longstanding support and commitment to the industry, union and tripartism.

The union, which was first established in 1946, currently represents over 10,000 members from various organisations such as PSA Corporation, PSA International and several port logistics companies.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaking at the Singapore Port Workers Union’s 80th anniversary dinner on Oct 17.

Apart from competition from other ports that are catching up quickly with digitalisation and automation, SM Lee warned that the industry itself currently faces supply chain disruptions, climate change, and geopolitical tensions that affect all shippers and port operators.