S R Nathan (Sellapan Ramanathan)
History of the Labour Movement,
Accession Number 001108
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 9
Total Reels
- Peter Lim
Interviewer
- 04:23:01
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 9
Metadata
- 27 Aug 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:18
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
His association with the trade union movement. Involvement in the Malayan Trade Union Congress. Went to University of Malaya in 1952 to read Social Studies. First involvement in the Singapore labour movement. Work in Kluang for six months after graduating in 1954. Worked as a medical social worker in Singapore. Spearheaded welfare matters under Lim Yew Hock. Concerns and disputes within the Seamens Union. Camaraderie with the seamen. Resolving conflicts and being resourceful.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 9
Metadata
- 27 Aug 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:52
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Learning from the humanity of seamen. Corrupt and hostile unions. Bouncing from setbacks. Meeting interesting characters. The 10-day voyage from Peru to New York. Lack of union-consciousness within seamen. Operating within the confines of the Merchant Shipping Act. Differences in roles at the Seamen's Union and as secretary of the Civil Service Union in Johore. Mentality between clerks and seamen. Bonding within blue-collar workers. Unhappiness within the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) that made him leave in 1965.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 9
Metadata
- 27 Aug 1993
Recording Date
- 00:31:12
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Lessons from his time at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). Sanctions to prevent abuse within the NTUC. Signs of decline within the labour movement. Benefits to workers. Declining membership within trade unions. Formation of the trade union in Malaya. Involvement in Singapore during university days. Threats to the Civil Service Union. Attributed politics as the driving force behind the trade union's progress. Communist-led militancy in the 1950s. Indian expatriates from the British army controlling the Army Civil Service. Serving the trade unions.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 9
Metadata
- 27 Aug 1993
Recording Date
- 00:28:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Excluding lawyers to advocate for employers. Posted as Seamen's Welfare Officer in December 1962. Constitution and leaders within the pioneer industry. The Labour Research Unit (LRU) at Stamford Road. Tactics employed during the collective bargaining progress. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) playing a foreign relations role. Selecting his staff at LRU. Unions serviced in his first year. His last years at the LRU. Resolving the Harbour Board conflict in 1965.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 9
Metadata
- 17 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:03
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Various unions existed during internal self-government (1959). Singapore National Trades Union Congress (SNTUC) unable to face militant left-wing unions. Opined that collective bargaining is critical then to preserve benefits. Realised need to work with government. People's Action Party (PAP) and Barisan Sosialis formed (1962). Labour Research Unit (LRU) formed to facilitate negotiations. Industrialisation effort by Economic Development Board (EDB). Need to assure foreign investors on non-disruptive returns. Pioneer Industrial Unions assisted in economic development. Afro-Asian Labour movement happened at the same time to counter left-wing efforts.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 9
Metadata
- 17 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Afro-Asian Labour Seminar. Trade Union House opened. Diminishing trend in Union membership. Check-off system recommended and introduced. Modernisation Seminar. Subscription fee standardised industry-wide. Labour movement gave investors assurance and led to industrialisation success. National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) activities expanded: COMFORT, Cooperatives, childcare, Income, broadcast. Reiterated attractiveness of check-off system. Mentioned career stages in Seamen Welfare and Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE). Role as Director in Labour Research Unit (LRU) questioned and suspected. NTUC leaders did not back him. Stuck to role of preserving industrial peace.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 9
Metadata
- 17 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:31:35
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Organisation chart of Labour Research Unit (LRU). Felt Labour Ministry partial towards employees in post-colonial administration. Employer and workers slowly recognised labour movement effort. Reasons: government support; a better spokesman than employees. Change in labour laws necessary: restrained workers' demands to promote more employment. Tripartism gave workers assurance of fruits of labour. Elaborated involvement with Japanese union in Jurong Shipyard contract. In favour of collective bargaining on company-wide basis with justifications. Reiterated role of the Industrial Arbitration Court.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 9
Metadata
- 18 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:17:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Industrial Arbitration Court deemed to be advantageous. Relationship with government catalysed union's membership. Worldwide decline in membership trend. Union moved above from "benefits" issue alone. Purpose of membership and genuineness of union movement questioned. Expressed futile effort to explain to rest of world our system. Others' situations operated under different platforms, scenarios. Unable to emulate us even if they wanted to. We learned from them rather. Our benefits quietly admired.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 9
Metadata
- 18 Jan 1994
Recording Date
- 00:28:18
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further elaboration on National Trades Union Congress, Labour Research Unit (LRU)'s critical role in Economic Development Board investment-promotion objective. Leadership in LRU and roles became salient as left-inclined political efforts reduced. Cited example on collective bargaining process. Described K Suppriah as example. Proliferation of communist party amongst unions during post-war. Union consciousness came about with political consciousness as British administration ended. Blessing of Japanese occupation: hands-on to solve our own problems. Marxism, Leninism not affecting our progress during post-war, Communist Party of Malaya issue more relevant.
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