Singapore's labor movement will work with the government and employers to help protect jobs and create growth for the country, local media reported on Friday.

According to Channelnewsasia's report, Lim Swee Say, Secretay- General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said in an email to unionists and the NTUC staff that the labor movement will focus on three priorities.

First, the labor movement will work actively with companies and the government to improve productivity and reduce business costs, including wage costs and non-wage costs, in order to save jobs.

Second, workers should upgrade and re-skill for new and different jobs.

Third, the labor movement will stay the course to achieve its longer term objectives of getting more women and older workers back into the workforce, as well as enhancing the employability of low-skilled workers.

Lim said in his email that the labor movement will face the challenges with confidence and with strong support from union leaders.

Singapore on Friday revised its economy forecast to a contraction of 2.0 percent and an expansion of 1.0 in 2009, lower than its earlier estimated growth.

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2009)