333:, considered May Day 1980 as a significant milestone in the history of Singapore’s labour movement’s development for two reasons. Firstly, it marked the beginning of a national effort to transform the country’s labour-intensive economy to one driven by middle-technology industries and a high-skilled labour force. Secondly, it signified the start of a plan by Singapore’s union movement to enhance the status of unionists.
36:
360:, Secretary-General of NTUC, called for a redefinition of the role of trade unions and the adoption of new concepts to strengthen the cohesiveness of workers in the company to raise productivity. With the slowdown of the economy in 1985, the call for higher productivity through harmonious labour management was again reiterated.
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May Day is a day of special significance for organised workers, as it serves to remind others what their collective strength has achieved for workers. By making it a public holiday, the
Government of Singapore had intended it to be a day set aside in honour of workers and their contributions to the
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In cognisance of the coming of age of organised labour in
Singapore, May Day was restored to its correct perspective of a festive occasion for commemorating the dignity of labour in 1971. A small rally was held on the eve of May Day to honour outstanding unions and officials. Three major functions
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This year marked the 10th anniversary of NTUC’s modernisation seminar, which was the year to review and past and survey the future. In line with this, the major May Day resolution was the smooth and efficient transition from the old to the new. This was also the theme of the then Prime
Minister’s
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The launch of the
Singapore Labour Foundation in 1978 testified to the evolution and expansion of the role of the trade union movement. Trade unions evolved from one of mere concern with traditional collective bargaining to involvement in other socio-economic areas designed to further improve the
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In the past, rallies and resolutions also form the central features of May Day celebrations. Through these activities, organised workers symbolically express their unity of purpose and their faith in solidarity. Today, May Day celebrations are increasingly planned for the enjoyment of workers and
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As labour relations improved through the years, May Day presented an opportunity to celebrate the solidarity and the achievements of the democratic trade unions, and to rededicate worker's alignments to the ideal of a just society in which men are not exploited by their fellow men, and in which
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From 1981, the task was to foster "greater team spirit at the work place and… the objective is higher productivity and upgraded economy to pay higher wages and benefits to all." Nair called on all
Singaporeans to appreciate the vital importance of maximising their skills and performance.
249:(NTUC) stated that "May Day celebrations have undergone a change of character… less of an aggressive spirit, little or no slogan shouting and few or none of the grandiloquent resolutions. In its place there is harmony of outlook oriented towards the advancement of our developing economy".
238:, then Minister of Labour in 1968, quoted that May Day rallies were intended as demonstrations of worker's strength and solidarity. Militant speeches and militant attitudes were necessary as this was a time when organised labour had to struggle against the colonial government.
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Starting from this May Day, it became an annual affair that the Labour
Minister will announce the decision of the government with respect to the National Wages Council's recommendations for the year. However, in 1974, with the world caught up with the energy crisis, the
287:, and in many cases, of wage freeze for labour in Singapore. It also marked the beginning of the pay-off for the effort, discipline and restraint in the last few years. It was the beginning of a pay-off not only for labour but for the people of Singapore as a whole.
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May Day 1986 marked the 25th anniversary of NTUC. In his message, Ong stated that tripartite cooperation has helped to achieve a standard of living for the people of
Singapore rivalled by few in the Asian region. He called for the resolve to put the true spirit of
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The Prime
Minister in his May Day message recapitulated the anti-communist struggle in the early years. He was quoted, "Never must such a perilous situation as that which existed from 1945-1961 ever be allowed to occur. The duty of the Government and the
339:, then President of NTUC, considered this May Day as an occasion to rally the Singapore youth, intensify their stake in the future of the nation and give them an appreciation of the basic social, economic and political priorities of the Republic.
218:(PAP) came into power. Before then, only workers defined as such under the Labour Ordinance 1955 and those defined as industrial clerks under the Clerks Employment Ordinance 1957 were given paid holidays.
878:
Ministry of Trade and
Industry Singapore, Report of Wages Working Group, Sub-Committee on Policies Related to Taxation, the CPF System, Wages & Land Economic Review Committee (December 2002), 20
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is to create a series of overlapping and reinforcing organic links through which every worker identifies himself directly with the building of our young nation of which he is a part".
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Celebrating 50 years of NTUC: U & Me signifying the strong and indelible bond that the labour movement has forged with union members and workers of
Singapore
214:) is celebrated on 1 May each year as a mark of solidarity amongst workers. The celebration of May Day as a public holiday began only in 1960 after the
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295:, after presenting the interim recommendation in January, could not make the final recommendations in time for announcement on May Day.
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welfare of our workers. This move made the Labour Movement (NTUC et al.) a co-driver of national agenda instead of merely a bargainer.
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In the early days of Singapore, May Day rallies had the atmosphere of a persecuted sect preparing for another round of war.
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Continue to strengthen tripartite relationship, tackle our challenges and make Singapore a small but special country
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Strengthening the partnership, and building a brighter future for Singapore for the next 60 years and beyond
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This marked the start of the Singapore Trade Union Movement's "First Year of Development". Workers at the
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rally resolved to ensure the complete success of the movement's modernisation programme in the new era.
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The imperative to move forward, to renew, to endure and to transform ourselves has never been stronger
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cooperation between labour, management and the government to the test through the economic recession.
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Living the Singapore story – growth for the country, investing in our people and thinking long-term
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were held on May Day for workers to enjoy themselves in the company of their families and friends.
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Keep Singapore special and unique through creating prosperity for a new generation of Singaporeans
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The volatile external environment, geopolitical tensions, and the risk of recession in the West
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Choo Eng Khoon, "May Day for Flowers and Followers", May Day Souvenir Magazine, 1980
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To build an inclusive society and share the fruits of growth with every Singaporean
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Singapore’s core strengths: fighting spirit, unity and nimbleness, and adaptability
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Productivity continued to be the resonating message from 1984 to 1985. In 1984,
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country. It also makes it easier for workers to come together for celebrations.
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Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary General, NTUC
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Singaporeans need to stand together to ride out the economic uncertainties
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Singapore’s long-term strategy and the importance of raising productivity
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S.R. Nathan, Road to the Presidency, (Editions Didier Millet, 2011), 259
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COVID-19's impact on Singapore's workers, economy and the road ahead
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NTUC’s part in coordinating trade union activity throughout Malaysia
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their families, which include events like the May Day Family Fiesta.
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Celebrating 200 years of Singapore History & Pioneer Generation
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Mr Goh Chok Tong, Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health
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The trade union, new labour laws, employment and industrialisation
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In the 1969 May Day message, Mr. Peter Vincent, President of the
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Government agrees: 9%; goodwill and good sense must prevail
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The national cake and the importance of increasing its size
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The achievement of competitive cost is a tripartite affair
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Worker's welfare - an important productivity factor
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labour enjoys a fair share of the fruits of labour.
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60:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
544:Economic development remains a national priority
401:The PAP government and the trade union movement
377:Speaker and theme of speeches at May Day rallies
632:NTUC needs self-renewal too; why house unions
467:Problems posed by British military withdrawal
456:Call for double efforts to boost productivity
662:Mr Goh Chok Tong, First Deputy Prime Minister
651:Mr Goh Chok Tong, First Deputy Prime Minister
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329:Mr Lim Chee Onn, then Secretary-General of
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783:Mr. Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister
654:Bright future since our basics are right
555:Work together for Singapore's prosperity
533:The spirit of responsible trade unionism
120:Learn how and when to remove this message
827:Mr. Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister
423:The unity of the working class movement
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618:Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Minister for Labour
607:Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Minister for Labour
464:Dr Toh Chin Chye, Deputy Prime Minister
453:Dr Toh Chin Chye, Deputy Prime Minister
431:Dr Toh Chin Chye, Deputy Prime Minister
321:message and Labour Minister’s address.
665:Greater team spirit at the work place
610:Greater team spirit at the work place
596:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
585:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
574:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
563:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
552:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
541:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
530:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
519:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
508:Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour
478:The role of the trade union movement
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497:Mr S Rajaratnam, Minister for Labour
486:Mr S Rajaratnam, Minister for Labour
475:Mr S Rajaratnam, Minister for Labour
58:adding citations to reliable sources
772:Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister
761:Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister
750:Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister
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728:Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister
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695:Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister
816:Mr. Lee Hsien Long, Prime Minister
805:Mr. Lee Hsien Long, Prime Minister
794:Mr. Lee Hsien Long, Prime Minister
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709:Together a bright future for all
684:Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister
643:Keep Singapore flying on course
445:Power comes with responsibility
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629:Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister
442:Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister
420:Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister
409:Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister
398:Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister
45:needs additional citations for
247:National Trades Union Congress
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894:1960 establishments in Malaya
899:Public holidays in Singapore
843:Labour movement of Singapore
69:"Labour Day" Singapore
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599:Restructuring our economy
588:Trade union leadership
283:This marked the end of
293:National Wages Council
577:Tripartism in action
216:People's Action Party
27:Public holiday, 1 May
54:improve this article
18:Labour Day Singapore
500:Better times ahead
230:History of May Day
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364:May Day 1986
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236:S. R. Nathan
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52:Please help
47:verification
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909:Labour days
888:Categories
849:References
371:tripartite
337:Devan Nair
253:Milestones
212:Labour Day
185:2025-05-01
181:1 May 2025
137:Labour Day
110:April 2021
80:newspapers
204:Singapore
193:Frequency
146:Singapore
837:See also
412:The PAP
387:Speaker
208:May Day
183: (
94:scholar
390:Theme
196:annual
152:Begins
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172:1 May
163:1 May
155:1 May
101:JSTOR
87:books
824:2023
813:2022
802:2021
791:2020
780:2019
769:2012
758:2011
747:2010
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395:1960
384:Year
331:NTUC
310:NTUC
264:NTUC
210:(or
168:Date
160:Ends
73:news
202:In
56:by
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676:—
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