1. Help companies cut costs to prevent job losses

2. Retrain workers for new jobs

3. Maintain programmes such as getting more women and older people to work, as well as improving the pay and productivity of low-skilled workers

These are the top 3 priorities of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) for the difficult year ahead, according to Mr Lim Swee Say, NTUC's secretary-general.

In a new year's day email to NTUC staff and unionists, Mr Lim stressed that the labour movement will work with the government and employers to protect jobs and create growth. "We need to be even more flexible and adaptable in 2009, because more cost reduction for our businesses would mean more jobs saved," he said.

Mr Lim acknowledged that some existing jobs would be lost due to a sharp drop in global demand, but pointed out that new ones would also be created in sectors such as education, health care, construction and public transport. Openings will also be available in the upcoming integrated resorts, as well as new shopping malls and hotels.

"We need them (workers) to believe in themselves and be willing to adapt to new job demands, so that we can help them up-skill and re-skill to take on new and different jobs in different industries."

“Make yourself necessary to somebody,” said poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). And this is so true for two employees of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), both of whom enjoy a rewarding career as they reach out to workers and help them attain a better life.

By Ruth Wong

“Before joining NTUC, I thought it was a place with lots of politics and bureaucracy. But since working here, I realise it’s an organisation with lots of passion for the workers!” says Christine Neo, 26, an Employability Coach with the Employability Enhancement Department. She has been with NTUC for five years now...