Singapore, 9 August 2014 – Close to 7,000 members came together today for Singapore’s 49th birthday at Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day event held at The Promontory @ Marina Bay. Workers from three sectors – cleaners, landscape technicians, security officers, as well as their families, were invited to grace the event, which saw over 200 Guests-of-Honour as a result.
Organised by Young NTUC and presented by NTUC Income, the annual event honours the spirit of Singapore’s workforce and celebrates unity and solidarity of the Labour Movement with the nation. At this year’s event, Young NTUC called on members to be more proactive in showing their appreciation towards the unsung heroes who have played a major role and contributed greatly towards the nation, working tirelessly around the clock to make Singapore clean, green and safe.
Mr Steve Tan, Executive Secretary of Young NTUC said, “As the largest youth movement in Singapore, Young NTUC recognises the invaluable contribution of our working people to society and to the nation. Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day represents a great platform for our members to showcase their appreciation for the workers who have made Singapore what she is today. We want the entire nation, on Singapore’s 49th birthday, to join us in recognising their dedication and commitment in keeping Singapore clean, green and safe.”
To further affirm and demonstrate this outward display of appreciation, Young NTUC introduced two new initiatives. Members were encouraged to “pick-up-after-yourself” so that cleaners will have a less arduous task after the celebrations. They also shared words of appreciation and gratitude for all the workers who kept Singapore clean, safe and green on an "Appreciating U" board. Members are reminded to continue this positive movement in their everyday lives, including picking up litter, doing their part to avoid damaging the floral landscapes around them and thanking the security officers for keeping the premises safe.
“We introduced these initiatives as part of Young NTUC’s aim to complement the Labour Movement’s “Appreciating U” movement – to have more people involved in recognising the contributions of our working people to the economy and society. As youths, we should take our appreciation beyond words, and show our understanding and recognition by doing what we can to lessen the load of our public service workers,” shared Mr Tan.
Mdm Khoo Yik Ngoh, one of the cleaners invited for the event, said, “I am happy to share this moment with my family at Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day. It is nice to see my fellow cleaners being appreciated too, with everyone helping to lighten our workload by picking up the rubbish.”
Further to the “Appreciating U” initiatives, members formed a giant human flag to showcase the solidarity of the Labour Movement behind Singapore. This was reinforced by the signature candle-lighting activity called A Celebration in Unity which demonstrates mutual support of the Labour Movement and its role in nation building. The eighth edition of Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day also kicked off next year’s milestone 10th anniversary celebration for Young NTUC with members forming the giant figure ‘10’ at the Promontory as part of the slew of exciting activities today.
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