Labour Movement pays tribute to 57 persons and companies who have made a difference!
29 April 2007
Media Release
1. 57 individuals and companies received the prestigious May Day Award this year, which recognizes their significant and valuable contributions to the labour movement!
2. This year, 9 different categories of May Day awards were given out, with the highest May Day honour – Distinguished Comrade of Labour awarded to Mr Lim Boon Heng, former Secretary-General of National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) who relinquished his post last year. Mr Lim is currently Minister, Prime Minister’s Office. (Please refer to Appendix 1 for the details of May Day awards)
3. Other awardees include 5 non-unionists who made outstanding contributions to the labour movement, 30 unionists who have served the labour movement tirelessly, 12 senior management representatives who have helped promote good industrial relations and workers’ training, as well as 9 companies who have supported NTUC programmes consistently. Last year, the labour movement gave out 75 May Day awards.
4. Mr Cyrille Tan, Chairman of the May Day Awards and Invitations sub-committee said, “The awardees have each in their own way, contributed to the great labour movement we have today. Through these awards, we hope to recognize their contributions, and encourage other individuals and companies to do their part for an even greater labour movement in future.”
5. The May Day Dinner and Awards Presentation, which was held in Suntec City Convention Hall, kicked off the May Day 2007 celebrations, which have been lined up especially for workers to enjoy themselves. There were about 1,600 tripartite guests who attended the dinner, which include senior government officials, company management and unionists.
6. Mr Swithun Low, Chairman of the May Day Dinner sub-committee said, “In this year’s May Day Dinner, we have incorporated programmes that reflect the May Day theme – Labour Movement for all. These include performances by different ages and nationalities of performers.”
7. The theme of “Labour Movement for all” is in line with the vision of “Labour Movement 2011” (LM 2011) which NTUC unveiled last year. This theme conveys the desire of the labour movement to continue as a relevant, useful and active partner to all sectors of workers and their families.
8. Workers of different ages, collars and nationalities can look forward to participating in various May Day activities this year. This include a musical specially put up by Young NTUC for those who enjoy cultural performances, an outing that will bring together workers of all nationalities to celebrate their contribution to Singapore’s economy, as well as an exciting and fun-filled carnival where there will be games and entertainment for all ages.
9. As part of their social contributions to the labour movement, four NTUC social enterprises – NTUC FairPrice, Singapore Labour Foundation, NTUC Club and NTUC Income are the main supporting partners for this year’s May Day Dinner and Awards Presentation. We thank them for their kind and generous support, without which, May Day Dinner and Awards Presentation 2007 would not have been possible.
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For media queries, please contact:
Chong Yan Cheng (Ms)
Consultant
Corporate Communications Department
National Trades Union Congress
DID 6213 8190
HP 9797 8985
Fax 6327 3749
About National Trades Union Congress
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is a national confederation of trade unions of workers in the industrial, service and public sectors representing about 480,000 workers in Singapore. It has 63 affiliated trade unions and six associations, and 15 social enterprises, which include nine cooperatives. NTUC’s objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and workers remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and well-being of workers; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement.
Appendix 1
Details of May Day Awards 2007
NO. OF AWARDEES AND AWARDS CATEGORY
1 Distinguished Comrade of Labour
1 Distinguished Service
1 Meritorious Service
3 Friend of Labour
28 Comrade of Labour
2 Veteran of Labour
2 Medal of Commendation (Gold)
10 Medal of Commendation
9 Plaque of Commendation
Total: 57
Distinguished Comrade of Labour
Conferred on non-unionists who have made unique and supreme contributions to the Labour Movement.
Distinguished Service
Conferred on non-unionists who are active and are continuously rendering significant contributions to the Labour Movement.
Meritorious Service
Conferred on non-unionists who made outstanding contributions to the Labour Movement.
Friend of Labour
Conferred on non-unionists who have made significant contributions to the Labour Movement.
Comrade of Labour
Conferred on serving trade unionists who have made contributions to their unions and NTUC related functions.
Veteran of Labour
Conferred on retired trade unionists who have made significant contributions to the Labour Movement continuously.
Medal of Commendation (Gold)
Conferred on Senior Management personnel, who continued to make significant contributions towards promoting and supporting:
- workers’ workfare and welfare
- good industrial relations
- workers’ training and skills upgrading
- employment of older workers
- raising effective retirement age
- Job Re-creation programme
- Union membership growth and
- Other NTUC programmes and projects
Medal of Commendation
Conferred on Senior Management personnel, who besides promoting good industrial relations, also initiated workers’ training and skills upgrading programmes, and supported:
- workers’ workfare and welfare
- employment of older workers
- raising effective retirement age
- Job Re-creation programme
- Union membership growth and
- Other NTUC programmes and projects
Plaque of Commendation
Conferred on organizations that promote and support:
- Good industrial relations
- workers’ workfare and welfare
- employment of older workers
- raising effective retirement age
- Union membership growth
- workers’ training and skills upgrading
- Job Re-creation programme and
- Other NTUC programmes and projects
