Title
Singapore General Employees Union
Year/Period
1950s
Region
Singapore
Object Type
union badges
Material
Metal
Dimension
Object size: 2.8 x 2.3 cm
Accession No.
1995-07189
Collection of
NLB Type
Cultural artefact
In 1945 the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) revived the General Labour Union, which it renamed the Singapore Federation of Trade Unions (SFTU). Between 1945 and 1947, the SFTU organised 119 strikes affecting most sectors of the economy, such as the Harbour Board, public transport, fire and postal services, hospitals and many private firms, both European and Chinese. Even cabaret girls were involved in these strikes. By the end of 1947, many Singapore workers were disillusioned by the MCP’s use of trade unions to promote political ends. Workers, especially those in the private sector, were less inclined to participate in strikes.
