The May Day Awards ceremony this year honoured 143 union leaders, tripartite partners and workers for their contributions in either advancing workers’ interests or being role models at workplaces.
The top May Day award this year went to Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat who was conferred the Medal of Honour. Mr Heng is also the Co-ordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Finance Minister.
The ceremony, held over two sessions on 28 April 2021 at Downtown East, was hosted by NTUC President Mary Liew and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng. More than 200 union leaders and tripartite partners were in attendance. The awards ceremony was also streamed live on Zoom.
The May Day Awards is held annually to recognise organisations and individuals who have significantly contributed to improving the lives of workers. The awards ceremony was held in a significant year for the Labour Movement as it marks 60 years since NTUC was founded in 1961.
Ms Liew said: “2020 has been a year of ups and downs, filled with much uncertainty and anxiety. However, 2020 was also a year where we saw the true spirit of tripartism prevail – where our government leaders and civil servants, union leaders and employers came together and stood in solidarity to help cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our workers and companies and help them explore opportunities. Honouring them at our NTUC May Day Awards is a befitting tribute to all the hard work put in to protecting and caring for our workers, both in good times and bad.”
Among the 143 award recipients, 24 were presented with higher awards.
Among them – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Transport Chee Hong Tat, who received the Distinguished Service award, and National Transport Workers’ Union General Secretary Fang Chin Poh, who received the Comrade of Labour (Star) (Bar) award.
Mr Chee dedicated his award to the late Nachiappan RK Sinniah, the Former Emeritus General Secretary of the Union of Power and Gas Employees. Mr Nachiappan was also posthumously conferred the Comrade of Labour (Star) (Bar) award.
Meanwhile, 44 organisations were recognised for strengthening labour-management relations and supporting Labour Movement initiatives. Some 20 workers were also commended for being role models in enhancing their skills and being adaptable to the changing work environment.
Mr Heng Swee Keat has now joined the ranks of the few individuals who have received the Medal of Honour. Previous recipients were Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
In an interview with LabourBeat, Mr Heng said: “I am deeply humbled by this award and am accepting it on behalf of all our tripartite partners. We have been able to make a difference to the lives of our workers only because of strong tripartism in Singapore – working collaboratively to take care of our workers, businesses and national interests.
“I greatly appreciate the Labour Movement for this honour. This award will serve as a constant reminder that the welfare of our workers and their families will be at the heart of what we do.”
