Designation of the National Trades Union Congress as a Politically Significant Person Under the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021

1. The Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures (“Registrar”) has designated the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) as a Politically Significant Person (PSP) under section 47(1) of the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 (FICA) with effect from 26 July 2024. ¹

2. NTUC has not submitted any representations in response to the Notice of Intended Designation issued to NTUC on 11 July 2024. The Registrar remains of the view that NTUC should be designated as a PSP, and NTUC was issued a notice on 26 July 2024 informing them of the designation. Similar to other designated PSPs, NTUC has a right to appeal to the Minister for Home Affairs against the Registrar’s decision.

3. As a designated PSP, NTUC is required to make annual disclosures to the Registrar on: (a) political donations of $10,000 or more that NTUC receives and accepts, and (b) foreign affiliations. ² These transparency requirements will mitigate NTUC’s risk of being a target of foreign interference.

[1] The Registrar of Foreign and Political Disclosures is the competent authority appointed by the Minister for Home Affairs under FICA to be responsible for the administration of the provisions relating to PSPs (except election candidates and election agents).

[2] “Political donation” is defined in section 51 of FICA. Foreign affiliations are defined as “reportable arrangements” in section 78 of FICA.