SINGAPORE – Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Comrade of Labour Award at this year’s May Day Awards ceremony, organised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). The event, held on April 25 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, celebrated a record-breaking 180 recipients who have made significant contributions to Singapore’s labour movement.
Recognising Supreme Contributions to Workers and the Economy
NTUC described the Distinguished Comrade of Labour Award as the highest accolade, reserved for individuals who have made “unique and supreme contributions to the labour movement.” SM Lee was recognised for his unwavering dedication to protecting Singapore’s economy and safeguarding workers’ livelihoods through multiple economic challenges, including:
- The 1985 recession
- The Asian financial crisis
- The global financial crisis
- The COVID-19 pandemic
Throughout his many years of public service, Mr Lee championed strong tripartite relations between the government, businesses, and workers. This collaboration played a critical role in maintaining Singapore’s economic resilience, preserving jobs, and continuously creating new opportunities for Singaporean workers.
Key Initiatives Under SM Lee’s Leadership
NTUC highlighted several major initiatives led or supported by Mr Lee that have had a lasting impact on Singapore’s workforce:
- Skills Redevelopment Programme (2008): Paved the way for today’s SkillsFuture movement, promoting lifelong learning.
- Workfare Income Supplement and Progressive Wage Model: Uplifted lower-wage workers, improving both incomes and career prospects.
- Employment and Employability Institute (e2i): Provided job-matching, career guidance, and skills upgrading.
- Job Security Council: Assisted displaced workers with job-matching and career transitions.
- Company Training Committees: Enabled companies and workers to upskill and adapt to industry transformation.
Under his leadership, wage growth for lower-income workers became a regular feature of the National Wages Council’s annual recommendations. He also championed workplace safety improvements, leading to lower workplace accident rates and better working conditions for both resident and migrant workers.
A Heartfelt Thank You and a Vision for the Future
Upon receiving the award, SM Lee expressed his gratitude in an interview with NTUC:
“I am very honoured to receive this award. I thank NTUC and all workers for their support over the years and hope they will continue to extend the same support to my successor, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.”
Ms K Thanaletchimi, President of NTUC, praised Mr Lee’s unwavering commitment to workers, saying:
“His leadership shaped policies that uplifted workers, protected jobs, and ensured no worker was left behind. We are grateful for his strong support for NTUC and the labour movement throughout the decades.”
Celebrating the Spirit of May Day
The May Day Awards 2025 ceremony served not only to honour SM Lee but also to acknowledge the broader contributions of union leaders, tripartite partners, workers, and organisations dedicated to championing workers’ interests. Since its inception in 1963, the awards have been a symbol of Singapore’s enduring commitment to its workforce and the spirit of solidarity.
