By Kor Kian Beng
Mr Mah recounted this first-hand experience and other anedcotes to drive home a point: to win trust, one has to gain respect first. -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
TO UNDERSTAND the difficulties drivers face in reverse-parking a bus, Mr Mah Bow Tan went behind the steering wheel and learnt how to drive the vehicle.
Mr Mah, a Hainanese, also learnt how to swear in Hokkien. The Minister of National Development did it back in the 1970s when he was a boss at then-Singapore Bus Service (SBS), the predecessor of SBS Transit.
On Thursday, the 61-year-old recounted this first-hand experience and other anedcotes to drive home a point: to win trust, one has to gain respect first. It is crucial and the swift economic rebound recently bears testimony to its sustained importance, he told about 1,800 workers, union leaders and employers at this year's May Day dinner to laud model employers and workers as well as long-time supporters of labour work in advancing the cause of workers.
Indeed, the deep level of mutual trust and understanding among the tripartite partners were the 'most fundamental and abiding' reason for the recovery from from last year's recession, he said. 'If anyone thinks that was easy, just look at the situation in many other countries, where government, employers and unions were locked in conflict, unable to take difficult decisions because they simply did not trust one another,' he added.
The dinner was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, and Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua. Mr Lim Swee Say, secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress, gave out awards to a record 88 individuals and companies.
Topping the list are former labour minister of state Goh Chee Wee, 63, and veteran lawyer David Wong Chin Huat, 61. Both received the Distinguished Service (Star) awards, conferred only on four others since 2001.
