- Peter Seah has stepped down as chair of the National Wages Council (NWC) for personal reasons, as announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on August 19.
- Hsieh Fu Hua has succeeded Seah as the new chairman of the NWC, having previously joined the council as its deputy chairman on August 7.
- MOM praised Seah's 11 years of service as NWC chairman, highlighting his role in building and sustaining the tripartite consensus that supported Singapore's wage policies.
- Under Seah's leadership, the NWC navigated some of the most challenging periods in Singapore's economic history, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
- MOM stated that Hsieh's experience in bringing together diverse stakeholders will be valuable for leading NWC's upcoming deliberations on wage issues.
- The NWC is set to convene on Wednesday to develop its annual wage guidelines for the period from Dec 1, 2026 to Nov 30, 2027.
Hsieh Fu Hua has officially taken over as chairman of the National Wages Council (NWC), succeeding Peter Seah, who stepped down for personal reasons. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced this change on August 19, emphasizing the importance of Hsieh's experience in fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.12
Seah, who has chaired the NWC for 11 years, was recognized for his significant contributions during his tenure. MOM expressed gratitude for his leadership, stating, "His leadership was instrumental in building and sustaining the tripartite consensus that underpinned Singapore's wage policies during his tenure, which provided critical support for our workers and Singapore’s continued economic development."34
The ministry highlighted that under Seah's guidance, the NWC successfully navigated challenging economic periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Hsieh, who joined the council as deputy chairman on August 7, is expected to lead upcoming deliberations on wage issues, with the NWC set to convene to develop its annual wage guidelines for the period from December 1, 2026, to November 30, 2027.5
MOM's statement reflects a commitment to maintaining a strong tripartite framework in wage policy discussions, which is crucial for supporting Singapore's workforce and economic stability moving forward.
“The Ministry of Manpower highlighted Seah's instrumental role in navigating Singapore's wage policies during challenging economic periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Hsieh Fu Hua, who joined the council as deputy chairman earlier this month, is expected to lead upcoming deliberations on wage issues.”
AsiaOne
