By Ramesh Subbaraman
The Singapore Government and unions have walked together as the nation journeyed from Third to First World, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 2015 May Day Rally held at the Star Vista Performing Arts Centre.
PM Lee stressed that no other country in the world has such a strong relationship between Government and workers and no other country has such a bond that lasted so long.
The Value Of Tripartism
He added that Singapore has gradually, through an enormous effort, created an exceptional system of tripartism where the Government, workers and employers work constructively together to grow and upgrade the economy.
PM Lee noted that all parties may not agree all the time but there is a ‘give and take’ culture where each party trusts the other to take into account the longer-term collective interests.
Tripartism has delivered results over the last five decades and unions have professionalised, inducted talent, and made trade unionism a profession that one can be proud of.
“Our workers know that tripartism has made a difference to their lives, and that the Government is on their side.”
PM Lee declared that no trade union congress anywhere else in the world has been as effective as NTUC in improving workers lives.
Keep Singapore Exceptional
PM Lee noted that 2015’s Rally is the first one workers and the nation are celebrating without Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the country’s founding Prime Minister.
But because of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singaporeans are in a better place today.
“We may worry about the cost of living, but we are not poor or hungry. We own our HDB flats, we enjoy good healthcare, our children are in good schools, and we have good jobs,” noted PM Lee.
PM Lee cautioned that the most difficult job is to keep Singapore exceptional.
He said that as a small country in this part of the world, Singapore must remain exceptional to survive, otherwise it will be pushed around and shoved about.
PM Lee highlighted that for Singapore to stay exceptional, its economy must be successful, its workers hardworking and skillful and its leadership outstanding.
See also:
