Every year, the National Day Awards honour individuals who have made significant contributions to our nation.
Some 5,710 outstanding individuals across 10 award categories were conferred National Day honours this year by President Halimah Yacob. Of which, eight were awarded to leaders from the Labour Movement.
Six were awarded the Public Service Medal, while two received the Public Service Star.
The awardees shared their thoughts on working in the Labour Movement and what the awards meant to them.
United Workers of Petroleum Industry President Benedict Chan is passionate about advancing the interest of his peers within his industry. He was also conferred the NTUC Comrade of Labour Award in 2009.
Despite his heavy job commitment, he readily involves himself in handling industrial relations matters and collective bargaining for the union.
On receiving the award, he said: “Don't expect awards. Because if you come in just for the awards, you are probably not in the right place. I will always try to remind people that the main reason why we come in is actually to help people around us and for the greater good.”
As the executive director of the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), Bernard Menon has made it his mission to help the foreign worker population in Singapore.
Bernard and his team at the MWC have been championing the rights of migrant workers for over a decade. Issues he handles range from helping the workers settle salary disputes with employers to taking care of their welfare through COVID-19.
“When I'm finished with the work, if migrant workers are in a much better position than they were when the Labour Movement first set up the MWC, then I think I would have made a good contribution,” he said.
Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees’ Union (SMEEU) General Secretary Eileen Yeo has been a strong champion of tripartism for the last 25 years. She actively engages with the management partners to strengthen the labour-management relations in Keppel Shipyard at Benoi.
Eileen hopes that with this award, she will inspire other union leaders to take on higher leadership positions.
“Being a female union leader in a male-dominated industry, I hope to encourage more females, as well as younger union leaders, to contribute and serve in the marine industry. It has been a very fruitful experience for me, and I hope that they will come forward to share this experience,” she said.
Spearheading NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) as Deputy CEO since 2009 and subsequently CEO from 2013, Gilbert Tan ensures that the institute delivers positive outcomes for workers, companies, and the Labour Movement.
Under his leadership, e2i has launched several initiatives that have benefited both companies and workers, including the Inclusive Growth Programme in 2010 and the NTUC Job Security Council (JSC) in 2020.
He said: “It's meaningful to be able to be there to roll out programmes and be alongside the workforce and employers as we face the crisis together. This journey is made even more meaningful with the partnership of all the sisters and brothers in e2i, NTUC, and the rest of the Labour Movement. With hearts united, minds aligned, the journey is all the more meaningful and the experience all the more fulfilling.”
Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) President Ng Hee Seng has served as a union leader for the past 40 years.
“I am happy to receive this award, even though it's near the tail end of my involvement in the Labour Movement. But I'm grateful that my past contributions are being recognised,” he said.
An avid supporter of the Labour Movement and the Tripartite’s cause, Hee Seng was also a May Day Comrade of Labour award recipient in 2005.
He is known for his grounded attitude and genuine care for others, and members are always willing to share their issues with him openly, knowing that he would always be ready to assist them.
He is also a proactive leader who seeks better benefits for members, ensuring that members at his union are well supported.
Chemical Industries Employees' Union (CIEU) President Rajendran Govindarajoo plays an active role in managing union members’ work issues through consultation with management and adopting an attitude of mutual understanding and cooperation.
He fosters good labour-management relations at workplaces. In 2007, he was conferred the May Day Comrade of Labour award, and more recently, the May Day Comrade of Labour (Star) in 2020.
“Be proud that you are fighting for all workers, not yourself. If you are fighting for yourself, you’ll be out … Fight for the workers and show them that whatever it is, be it bonus or increment or anything, it’s for the workers,” he said.
Cham Hui Fong: Public Service Star
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Cham Hui Fong has served as an authority member of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the CAAS Tenders Committee since 1 September 2011.
Her experience in the public and private sectors has contributed significantly to CAAS, which has helped strengthen Singapore’s status as an Air Hub.
As a union representative, she has also contributed to CAAS’s workforce development initiatives.
She said: "I am truly humbled to receive the award, but I do so on behalf of our union leaders and my NTUC colleagues who are on the ground. The award is, in reality, a testament to their contributions and work to better the lives of our workers."
Kee Teck Koon: Public Service Star
In the Labour Movement, Kee Teck Koon is the director of NTUC Enterprise, deputy chairman of NTUC Income, and director of NTUC FairPrice.
He was appointed as Director of Changi Airports International (CAI), the international arm of Changi Airport Group, on 1 August 2009 and subsequently as Chairman of CAI on 29 September 2012.
In the face of keen global competition, he still managed to help CAI build up its portfolio investments. He also successfully led the company to divest its investments before retiring from the CAI Board on 16 December 2019.
“I would really like to dedicate this award to colleagues and staff at Changi Airport International/Changi Airport Group,” he said.
“It has been an extremely challenging time for all of them since the start of the COVID pandemic. However, their dedication and determination continue to shine through as they innovate and transform to safeguard the competitive position of Singapore as a leading air hub and Changi Airport as an international brand. I am glad for the opportunity to be a board member and be a part of this team.”
