Lim Yu Yan
NTUC Scholarship
Now: University of Warwick
From: St Joseph’s Institution
NTUC Scholar and Second Year Philosophy, Politics, and Economics student Lim Yu Yan has experienced first-hand how NTUC IROs make a real difference in translating policy into real impact for workers, and looks forward to doing the same when it’s her turn.
Hearing about people losing their jobs seemingly all-too-easily, from all sectors including big tech, worried me immensely as an 18-year-old student. I wondered if this could be my reality too, when I graduated and entered the job market myself.
This led me to consider how I could make an actual difference in the labour movement, so when I came across the NTUC Scholarship, the rest, as they say, is history.
From confrontation to conciliatory problem-solving
Within the first few weeks of my internship with the Advanced Manufacturing Employees’ Union, I was given the opportunity to sit in on mediations, negotiations, and disputes.
These showed me first-hand just how complex workplace issues really are, going beyond just hard policy considerations, and almost always involving emotions and misunderstandings.
I remember this particular mediation session which involved workers who were unhappy with how the management was seemingly arbitrarily changing their shift hours without prior discussions.
Tensions were running really high between both sides, but I saw for myself how trust was rebuilt and the initial confrontational direction of the session eventually shifted to a conciliatory one, with a lot of calm facilitation and structured dialogue led by the Industrial Relations Officers (IROs).
Seeing the gaps in policies and how they translate on the ground
My internship also showed me how some of our labour policies, while seemingly robust and proactive in helping our workers – could actually be strengthened by improving accessibility and awareness among the workers.
Our current tripartite framework is a great example; there’s a progressive wage model, guidelines on fair employment practices, and a support system to retrain or upskill workers. However, many of our workers, especially those from the older generation, aren’t very digitally literate and therefore don’t fully understand their own rights and privileges, and have no idea how to get the help they’re entitled to.
During my internship, I accompanied my team to one of the companies to help explain to the older workers any support grants they could apply for and help them with the actual applications.
I also saw how for many of these workers, it’s not actually about the outcome of the negotiation or dispute, or monetary support they may or may not receive. What they really want is dignity and respect, and knowing that their voice matters.
And this is something I will uphold as I embark on my career as an IRO.
Empowered by strong mentorship model
My journey so far as an NTUC Scholar has been a meaningful and rich one. Other than the invaluable internship experience, I also really appreciate the mentorship aspect.
My mentor has been a great source of guidance for me as I navigate this exciting new journey, encouraging me to spend my time meaningfully on activities I am genuinely interested in while at the University at Warwick, and giving me invaluable internship advice back home.
The best thing I’ve learnt from her is to keep a constantly open and curious mind in this journey. I really look forward to making a real and lasting impact on the lives of the workers I hope to serve, as an IRO.