1 “Together, a Brighter Future for All!” This rallying call aptly sums up the spirit of this year’s May Day celebrations, which are expected to draw more than 45,000 workers and their family members, unionists, tripartite partners, and fellow Singaporeans together over several key May Day events organised by the labour movement.
2 As an inclusive and forward looking labour movement that cares for our workers and Singaporeans, we hope to inspire hope for a brighter future for everyone at work, live and play, through the May Day celebrations. We also wish to recognise the efforts of those who have played an important role in contributing to Singapore’s economy and the labour movement over the years, and to show our care and concerns to those who need our help or are less privileged. At the same time, we celebrate the achievements of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) over the last 45 years and prepare for future challenges that lie ahead.
3 As NTUC commemorates its 45th Anniversary this year, we have scaled up the May Day celebrations, which carry the central theme of “Together, a Brighter Future for All!”, so that more workers and fellow Singaporeans of all races and ages can come together to celebrate the past and present with us, and strive towards a brighter future together. Please refer to ANNEXES A and B for more details on the May Day celebrations.
A) May Day Dinner 2006
4 The May Day Dinner 2006 will be an evening of nostalgia and appreciation as 2,500 unionists, management representatives and government officials will come together to celebrate the tripartite partnership that has helped Singapore achieved its past and present successes, and which will propel our nation forward in the future.
5 Distinguished May Day Awards will be presented to unionists, management staff of unionised companies and unionised companies, for their invaluable contributions to the labour movement, and their building of strong and harmonious labour-management relationships. It is through their efforts that Singapore enjoys socio-economic stability and progress, which in turn, attracts investments and enhances job security and income stability for our workers.
B) May Day Carnival 2006
6 While the labour movement focuses its efforts on enhancing our workers’ well being at the workplace, we will not forget the need for them to have a balanced work-live-play life. Thus, at the May Day Carnival 2006, which is expected to attract 20,000 union members and their family members over two days, we celebrate the elements of togetherness and support within the basic unit of our society – the family. Exciting games, fun-filled activities, family entertainment and free entry to the two theme parks – Escape Theme Park and Wild Wild Wet Water Theme Park, await our union members and their family members – both young and old – at Downtown East.
C) May Day Concert 2006
7 Featuring all-Singaporean and multi-racial stars like Stefanie Sun, A-Do, Jacintha Abisheganaden, Hetty Sarlene, Muralikrishnan, Khairul Anuar (Anugerah Champion), Shabir (Vasantham Star Champion) and Tan Wei Lian (Project Superstar Champion), the May Day Concert 2006, promises to be a star-studded, multi-cultural and fun-filled three-hour extravaganza.
8 Held at the Padang and open to and free for everyone, the concert is expected to entertain more than 20,000 people, including workers, youths and families, from all walks of life and ages. It will be an exhilarating evening for all as we celebrate our local talents, whom we wish will inspire hope for a brighter future for many more among the audience. A delayed television broadcast of the concert on MediaCorp TV Channel 8 on May Day afternoon (1.30 pm) will beam joyous moments of the concert to the television sets of many workers and Singaporeans.
D) May Day Rally 2006
9 A key event of every May Day celebrations, the May Day Rally 2006 will turn a leaf in the chapter for the labour movement this year as more than 4,500 unionists and representatives from the tripartite partners, gather together to reaffirm their resolve and commitment to protect the interests and rights of our workers, especially the low-income and older workers, and to create opportunities to a brighter future for them.
10 As a show of unity and vitality of the labour movement, the Young NTUC (the youth chapter of NTUC) will provide an energising performance for the audience at the rally to pay tribute to those who had contributed to the progress and welfare of our workers.
E) Model Workers’ Awards 2006
11 In our society’s pursuit for excellence and progress, we must remember not to leave anyone behind, especially the low-income workers, as they too are part of our community and society, and as they have also contributed to Singapore’s success in one way or another.
12 At the Model Workers’ Awards 2006, we will be recognising and celebrating the efforts and contributions of these low-income workers from across key sectors of our economy. The Model Workers’ Awards will be held in collaboration with the Job Re-creation Programme (JRP) to give due recognition to low-income workers who have made extra efforts to take on new and redesigned jobs, and have shown exemplary work attitude. These workers are role models in their own right and serve to inspire hope and a brighter future for other workers.
F) May Day 2006 Outing for Foreign Workers
13 They come from neighbouring countries and afar to work in Singapore to seek a better livelihood for themselves and their families back home. These foreign workers have contributed much to the development and progress of Singapore. They are one group of workers whom we have worked side by side with to build up Singapore to what it is today.
14 As a show of our appreciation to these foreign workers for their contributions to Singapore, we will be organising the May Day 2006 outing for more than 10,000 foreign workers at the Jurong Bird Park. These workers come from countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, China and India, and work in the marine, construction and electronics industries.
G) May Day 2006 Outing for Elderly and Children
15 As part of our May Day celebrations, we will organise the May Day 2006 outing at Downtown East for about 1,500 elderly residents and children from various homes. As a caring and inclusive labour movement, we always have our hearts open to the elderly and children, especially those who are less privileged and more vulnerable, in our society. They are two important groups that the labour movement pays special attention to because the elderly have once contributed to the building of our economy during their prime, while the children are our hope and our future.
16 In conclusion, as we celebrate May Day and NTUC’s 45th Anniversary this year, we need to reflect upon, celebrate and show appreciation to the efforts of workers and Singaporeans of all ages and races, who have given their best efforts to build our economy and our nation. At the same time, we want to highlight the contributions of the labour movement in bettering the lives of all Singaporeans over the last four and a half decades. Together with all Singaporeans, the labour movement will celebrate the fruits of our hard work and dedication, and continue to inspire one another to scale new heights and build a brighter future for all!
Chan Soo Sen
Chairman
May Day 2006 Organising Committee Yeo Guat Kwang
Co-Chairman
May Day 2006 Organising Committee
Yeo Guat Kwang
Co-Chairman
May Day 2006 Organising Committee
