The Labour Movement (LM) will be celebrating our nation’s Golden Jubilee with four days of mega events at The Promontory at Marina Bay. These events will take place on 1, 7, 8 and 9 August 2015. Over 20,000 participants including unionists, tripartite partners, active agers, youths and families will come together to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) marching contingent will once again participate in the National Day Parade as a testament of LM's commitment to progress with our nation.
Majulah Singapura, Celebrating 50 Years With U!
The LM is proud to kick start four days of Golden Jubilee Celebrations this evening. Over 5,000 unionists, including our pioneer generation union leaders and the tripartite partners gathered together at The Promontory for the first time to take part in one of the largest National Day Observance Ceremony (NDOC).
The tripartite partners also paid tribute to our founding father of independent Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, as we honour and remember his unwavering support to the unions and workers of Singapore with his firm belief in tripartism.
At the event, the tripartite partners recited the first ever Tripartite Pledge with pride as they reaffirmed their commitment to tripartism. (See Annex A for the Tripartite Pledge). The Tripartite Pledge is also shared across the LM family, as well as the network of tripartite partners (Government and employers) to encourage them to recite the pledge at NDOCs organised throughout the month of August this year. It is hoped that the recital of the pledge will remind tripartite partners on the importance of strong tripartism.
At the NDOC, Guest-of-Honour Mr Chan Chun Sing also delivered his first National Message as NTUC Secretary-General (SG). He reiterated the importance of strengthening tripartism and the need for workers to upgrade their skills throughout their working lives so that they can take on the jobs of tomorrow. (Refer to Annex B for NTUC SG’s National Day Message)
Tripartite partners from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) shared the collective views that strong tripartism has served Singapore well over the past 50 years. Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, MOM said, “Our strong tripartite relationship represents a unique brand of partnership among unions, employers and the government which has helped Singapore’s economic development in the last 50 years. I am confident that with strong tripartism, we can build a better Singapore over the next 50 years. As we celebrate Singapore’s golden jubilee at the first ever tripartite NDOC, the tripartite partners have come together and have made a pledge to continue our good work to create better outcomes for workers and businesses, and build better lives for all Singaporeans. Majulah Singapore!”
Added Dr Robert Yap, President of SNEF, “Employers have benefitted from the industrial peace that has prevailed in Singapore over the last 50 years. Companies have been able to plan and invest for the long term. Going forward, the tripartite partners must have the same resolve to work together to find solutions to overcome any challenges we face. I am confident that the tripartite trust and partnership that we have built up will endure through the decades to come.”
To show appreciation to our mature workers who have helped build our nation, families who are a key support pillar of the nation, and youths who are the workforce of our future, the LM has also lined up a series of activities and programmes on the 7, 8 and 9 August for everyone to rejoice together as one nation, one people.
U Live, Time of Your Life!
On 7 August, some 5,000 active agers and their families will come together to reminisce sweet times of yesteryears. There will be live band performances by one of Singapore's most versatile pop groups in the sixties ― The Silver Strings. Active agers of the U Live community will also present a community percussion for the seniors as they enjoy an evening of fun, nostalgia and laughter in the company of their families and peers.
Baby’s Day Out - My First National Day Party
Some 500 Jubilee babies born this year will be celebrating their first National Day at this year’s Baby's Day Out event by the bay on 8 August! Over 8,000 attendees are expected at this largest Jubilee National Day celebration for babies and their families. NTUC SG Chan will also be taking part in the Mass Baby Orchestra performance alongside NTUC President Diana Chia and NTUC FairPrice Chief Executive Officer Seah Kian Peng.
Young NTUC Celebrates! National Day 2015
On 9 August, some 8,000 youths and their families will celebrate the nation’s birthday with live screenings of the National Day Parade, interjected with live performances and a symbolic candle-lighting moment. Participants can also look forward to share their aspirations for SG100 on red and white plastic balls as these will be sealed and placed in a time capsule.
Towards SG100
As we celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday, let us strengthen our unique brand of tripartism and continue to invest in the training and skills upgrading of our workers. Only then can we build a better life for all workers and their families for the next 50 years.
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