141 May Day Awards conferred on Labour Movement Leaders and Partners for their strength, relevance and representativeness in serving working people in Singapore

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At the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) May Day Awards 2018 held this morning, a total of 141 awards were presented to deserving individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions in making a difference to the lives of working people in Singapore. The ceremony was hosted by NTUC President Mary Liew and NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing.

 

This year, the NTUC May Day Awards recognises organisations and individuals who have built Strong Labour Movement-management relations; those who have implemented progressive workplace practices to be Relevant to today’s workforce, and helped our working people themselves stay relevant; as well as those who have joined the Labour Movement’s efforts to be Representative of all working people, regardless of worker type or employment model.

 

To give better recognition to partners in the Labour Movement’s expanded network, the Partners’ Award was refined this year to include two separate award categories – Working People’s Advocate, for leads of associations and organisations who demonstrate the values and ideals of the Labour Movement and support our initiatives; and Partner of Labour Movement, for associations and organisations who have made significant contributions to further the Labour Movement’s causes through collaborations, projects or initiatives of national impact.

 

Distinguished Comrade of Labour

 

This year’s highest award – the Distinguished Comrade of Labour – was presented to former Manpower Minister and former NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say. 

 

The Distinguished Comrade of Labour award is the May Day Awards’ highest accolade conferred on individuals who have made unique and supreme contributions to the Labour Movement. Past recipients were Stephen Lee, former President of Singapore National Employers Federation (2015); Lim Boon Heng, former Secretary-General of NTUC (2007); Goh Chok Tong, former Prime Minister of Singapore (2001), the late Ong Teng Cheong, former President of Singapore (1994); and the late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (1991).

 

Mr Lim Swee Say’s belief that a job is the best welfare and full employment is the best protection for workers led him to make a positive impact in the lives and livelihood of our workers. During his tenure, he helped our workers weather through two financial crises. His leadership and strong relationship with the tripartite partners cushioned the impact on workers in Singapore, as he pushed for all to Upturn the Downturn. He forged ahead to build an inclusive Labour Movement for all collars, ages and nationalities, one that helps working people earn a better living and live a better life. He also advocated for change and championed initiatives that evolved into policies and programmes at the tripartite and national levels.

 

Please refer to Annex A for his full citation. In conjunction with May Day Awards 2018, LabourBeat did an exclusive interview with Mr Lim Swee Say. The full interview transcript is attached in Annex B for your reporting. Please note that both annexes are strictly embargoed for reporting till Saturday, 5 May 2018, 11.30am and any extracts should be attributed back to LabourBeat.

 

The full list of awardees is in Annex C. Full citations can be found at http://bit.ly/maydayawards2018.

 

Recognising Innovative and Breakthrough Initiatives

 

In addition to the traditional May Day Awards, two new awards were presented to recognise breakthrough initiatives that impact the lives of working people.
 

a. Innovative Breakthrough Award
 

Recognising innovative projects or practices in the Labour Movement Network with significant breakthroughs to better the lives of working people, this award was presented to 15 partners of the Kampung Admiralty Silver Community Initiative, comprising NTUC Social Enterprises, government and community partners. 

 

b. Digital Learning Transformation Award
 

Recognising breakthrough initiatives that transform workers’ learning experiences, this award was presented to 34 knowledge and platform partners of ULeap (Learning Enabled Through Active Participation) – an initiative by NTUC and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute). Seven ULeap Enterprise first-movers – companies that have embarked on bite-sized mobile learning for their employees – were also recognised. 

 

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