'Upturning the Downturn' This May Day!
16 April 2009
Media Release
1. Triggered by the US financial meltdown, the world economy took a turn for the worse in the fourth quarter last year. Whilst Singapore was not spared the impact of the global financial turmoil, the Labour Movement and tripartite partners responded swiftly to the fast-deteriorating economic climate with the implementation of several timely tripartite initiatives and the Government’s Jobs Credit scheme.
2. The concerted efforts by the Labour Movement and tripartite partners were focused on containing the undesirable outcomes of a contracted economy - rising retrenchments and unemployment. Hence, despite facing possibly Singapore’s worst recession and an uncertain economic outlook, the Labour Movement is celebrating May Day with our working people because, on this day, in contrast to some countries, Singapore will not be seeing strikes, protests or demonstrations that will derail us from the journey to recovery.
3. This year’s May Day celebration will also serve as a timely reminder that we must continue to strengthen the unity and reinforce the mutual trust amongst the Labour Movement and tripartite partners; and show to the world that in this moment of truth, we are taking the heat and braving it together to tackle the challenges of a downturn. This display of unity, fortitude, resilience and stability in Singapore will strengthen investors’ confidence, hence retain existing investments while attract new ones that will generate more job opportunities for our workforce.
Greater Solidarity and the Most Caring Labour Movement
4. The spirit of Singapore having the world’s most united tripartite relationship, and the Labour Movement’s commitment to be a most caring labour movement will be carried through and demonstrated by the five May Day events lined up by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) this year.
a. May Day Dinner (29 April 09 at Orchid Country Club)
60 outstanding individuals, companies and tripartite partners will receive the prestigious May Day Awards, including three NTUC-nominated individuals who have contributed selflessly to help workers, and two private organisations that have worked tirelessly and hand-in-hand with the Labour Movement to cut costs and save jobs during this downturn. For the first time, proceeds from the May Day Dinner, to be attended by 1,400 guests from unions, corporations and the Government, will be channelled to the Labour Movement’s ‘U Care’ Fund . At the event, NTUC President John De Payva will share the total contribution from NTUC’s 60 affiliated unions and six affiliated associations to the fund. The Guest-of-Honour for the event is Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong.
b. May Day Rally (1 May 09 at Downtown East)
On May Day, some 1,400 union leaders, staff, NTUC social enterprises’ key personnel, corporate partners and government representatives will gather to reaffirm their commitment to solidarity, as well as pledge to stay united to ride through the downturn together and be better prepared to catch opportunities and recover faster when upturn returns. The Guest-of-Honour, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, will deliver the keynote address at this event.
c. May Day Model Partnership Awards (16 May 09 at Downtown East)
This year’s ceremony will honour more than 200 exemplary individuals, unions and companies who have rallied together as partners and contributed to helping workers to upturn the downturn. For the first time, this year’s nominations went beyond the individual efforts of a worker or company with emphasis on the spirit of, and strong commitment to partnership among different stakeholders working together.
There will be three Guests-of-Honour for this event, namely Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, NTUC President John De Payva, and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Vice President Bob Tan.
d. Solidarity Walk and Concert (23 May 09 from Jalan Banaan Kapal)
Organised by Young NTUC, up to 7,000 union leaders, members and families will take a 2.33km walk of solidarity in support of all workers in Singapore from Jalan Banaan Kapal (near the Singapore Indoor Stadium) to Marina Bay Golf Course. The unity of tripartite partners is demonstrated by the partake of tripartite partners, including the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, SNEF President Stephen Lee and NTUC Central Committee members. For the very first time in Singapore, the Labour Movement will have its own 11/2 hours of concert held at a driving range. With the 4-storey driving range set up as a large multi-storey stage, participants will be treated to performances by the Labour Movement’s in-house talents. The concert will also mark the culmination of the Labour Movement’s fund-raising efforts for the U Care fund with the announcement of total amount raised. The Guest-of-Honour for the event is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
e. Family Day Out with U (30 May 09 at Downtown East)
Recognising that family and social support are integral in building personal resilience during a downturn, the Labour Movement, together with NTUC Club, is organising a large-scale event to reach out to 40,000 union members and their families to bond together and strengthen ties through kampong-style family challenges, games and all-day entertainment. And to build the spirit of camaraderie within an all-inclusive labour movement, an Inter-Union U Games Mega Telematch is organised for union representatives of all collars, ages and nationalities to participate as a team. The NTUC Central Committee members, forming a special team, will also pit their sporting skills against participants. This event will also be the grand finale to the year-long U Games 2008/2009 where the top four union teams will be announced.
5. May Day is celebrated and recognised worldwide as the day to honour workers’ contributions to the development and progress of countries. NTUC President John De Payva said, “In view of the current trying times, it is even more critical that we honour the good and hard work of our workers to spur them on. It is also equally important that we recognise union leaders, management and tripartite members who have relentlessly promoted good industrial relations and supported long-term initiatives such as workers’ training and re-employment of older workers despite the downturn”. He added, “Through our May Day celebrations, we hope to reach out to more than 50,000 workers, members, staff, tripartite partners and Singaporeans from all walks of life, not just to celebrate May Day together, but to rally together to ride through the storm and emerge stronger and more resilient when the sun breaks through the clouds.”
