At the national level, once in four years, the union delegates elect a 21-member NTUC Central Committee to oversee the work of the Labour Movement. The Central Committee members elect among themselves the Secretary-General, the President, the Secretary for Financial Affairs (Treasurer) and Vice Presidents. The Central Committee appoints other principal office bearers.

Union leadership has been strengthened by the induction of professional, including Members of Parliament. These Members of Parliament are subject to elections, just as the other grassroots unionists are. Many other Members of Parliament, including Cabinet Ministers, serve as union advisors.

The Secretary-General, who is the Chief Executive of NTUC, and members of the Central Committee have regular dialogue sessions with leaders from affiliated unions to discuss important issues. Leaders from union headquarters hold similar sessions with branch officials, who in turn keep the ground posted on current developments. In the course of these discussions, the national leaders are kept informed of ground feelings on various issues.