Nithiah Nandan Arumugam

Nithiah Nandan Arumugam, widely known as Nithiah (1949-2007), a unionist for over 30 years, was a champion of low-wage workers. He also served as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) from 2002 to 2004.

In his youth, Nithiah faced financial constraints that prevented him from completing his secondary education, prompting him to take on various odd jobs, including working as a construction site cleaner and a boiler cleaner in a shipyard. In 1966, he secured employment at the Public Utilities Board (PUB) as a daily-rated general worker. Over the years, Nithiah emerged as an unofficial leader for daily-rated workers and actively participated in union elections, eventually standing for office in 1979. He was appointed as the Deputy General Secretary of the PUB Daily-Rated Employees’ Union (PUBDREU) in 1982 and became General Secretary by 1988.

In 1994, Nithiah was elected as a member of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Central Committee and further elevated to the role of Vice-President in 1997. When PUBDREU and the PUB Staff Union amalgamated in 1996 to form the Union of Power and Gas Employees (UPAGE), Nithiah played a pivotal role in its formation and was elected as General Secretary. In 1999, he was elected as the Executive Secretary. Even after more than two decades in PUB, he remained a daily-rated worker, with a monthly salary of just $1,120. He could have moved up, but he steadfastly stayed with his peers to help fellow workers.

In 2002, Nithiah was selected as an NMP, representing the labour movement. Concurrently serving as an NTUC representative, he contributed to various national-level committees, including the Cost Review Committee, Medifund Advisory Council, Tripartite Committee on Employment of Older Workers, and the National Wages Council. During his tenure as an NMP, Nithiah actively participated in parliamentary debates, addressing issues impacting the lives of low-wage workers.

In 2005, he was diagnosed with renal cell cancer, and he passed away in 2007. Nithiah is remembered as a champion for the skill upgrading of both low-wage and older workers throughout his career as a unionist. His contributions earned him several accolades, including the Public Service Medal in 1997, the Public Service Star in 2001, and posthumously, the Public Service Star (Bar) in 2007. To mark his legacy, the Nithiah Nandan Book Prize was established at the Ong Teng Cheong Institute of Labour Studies in 2007.



For more information
Tan-Oehler, Shirley. Gritty Nithi: The Remarkable Life of Nithiah Nandan, Comrade & Champion. Singapore: National Trades Union Congress, 2007
“Unionist Who Pushes Members to Upgrade and Leave,” The Straits Times, 10 July 1994, 15. (From Newspaper SG)
“The Labour Movement Mourns the Loss of an Outstanding Comrade, Mr Nithiah Nandan S/O Arumugam.” National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), 1 November 2010. https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/news/The-Labour-Movement-mourns-the-loss-of-an-outstanding-comrade-Mr-Nithiah-Nandan-S-O-Arumugam/
Parliament of Singapore, Obituary Speeches, vol. 77 of Parliamentary Debates: Official Report, 20 April 2004, cols. 2835
“Leadership Development Key to a Strong Labour Movement: Nithiah Nandan Prize and Book to Honour Veteran Unionist.” National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), 10 November 2007. https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/news/Leadership-Development-Key-to-a-Strong-Labour-Movement-Nithiah-Nandan-Prize-and-book-to-Honour-Veter/

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.