NATIONAL Trades Union Congress (NTUC) leader Lim Swee Say did an excellent job of criticising the retrenchment of 900 staff - here and in Hong Kong - by DBS Bank.

Have no lessons been learnt from the last few recessions?

After the last recession, companies should follow the example of SingTel, which has stated publicly that it will not be carrying out retrenchments.

In anticipation of further retrenchments, I hope that NTUC will play a more active role, and ensure that both unionised and nonunionised employees are protected.

In the case of DBS, NTUC could perhaps ask for more details regarding the retrenched employees, such as the number of local and foreign staff members and their positions in the company.

NTUC should also keep tabs on DBS to make sure that it does not recruit staff for one year after the retrenchment exercise.

Should DBS carry out any recruitment exercises during this period, NTUC should take action against it.

With NTUC's active role, employers will be more careful with their workers, as NTUC will be looking out for workers' welfare.

Keep up the good work, NTUC. You are the employees' union.

Mr David Soh Poh Huat

For more my paper stories click here.