1 The Lunar New Year Visit to unionised companies by key NTUC leaders has been ongoing since 1999 to show our appreciation to these workers who continue to perform essential duties during these festive celebrations. We are honored that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has led these visits since 2008.
2 This year, PM Lee and key NTUC leaders led by President Diana Chia visited about 220 workers at various SMRT Train Stations on the North – South Line and also bus captains and support staff at the Jurong East Interchange in the morning (6.30 am) of the first day of Lunar New Year. These workers included train captains, bus captains, maintenance staff, security officers and cleaners.
3 The Public Transport Workers work all year round, no matter the day to ensure that Singaporeans get to where they need to be safely and efficiently. The number of workers on duty is the same even on public holidays and festive occasions. This is the main reason the Labour Movement decided to personally thank the workers for their efforts on the first day of the Lunar New Year. The National Transport Workers’ Union represents 18,000 workers across several industries and is at the forefront of working with partners to champion rights for its members.
4 The visit spanned a total of seven SMRT Stations and one Bus Interchange beginning at Ang Mo Kio Station and ending at Jurong East Bus Interchange. In total the Labour Movement visited approximately 120 SMRT Staff and 100 SBS Transit staff respectively. Accompanying PM Lee, NTUC President Diana Chia and Secretary General Lim Swee Say was National Transport Workers Union President Mohammed, who represents all public transport workers in his union.
5 PM Lee, NTUC President Diana Chia, key NTUC Leaders and guests ended their morning at Jurong East Integrated Interchange where he visited the Jurong East MRT Crew rest point, and joined train captains and other support staff and management in the traditional tossing of Yu Sheng to usher in the Lunar New Year. The final stop was at Jurong East Bus Interchange where some 100 SBS Transit workers and management joined the guests and union officials in the final traditional tossing of Yu Sheng for the visit.
