It is being argued by some industrial relations experts that Singapore was able to withstand the harshness of economic crises mainly due to the fact that its industrial relations system was based on a tripartite structure in which the state, employers and unions had developed an integrated decision-making apparatus.

Such an apparatus provided among other things for labour to have voice in national policies and as such Singapore's economic, social and political system was spared the worst effects of crises. However, since countries like Malaysia did not possess a well-developed tripartite structures of decision-making, the workforce had to face the onslaught of the crises and its effects.