• Brother Vivian Balakrishnan,
• Tripartite Partners,
• Distinguished Guests,
• Sisters and Brothers,
Thank you for joining us tonight!
On behalf of NTUC Secretary-General Brother Ng Chee Meng and our NTUC Central Committee members, I am delighted to welcome everyone to the NTUC May Day Awards 2026.
Tonight, we celebrate our May Day Award winners — paying tribute to their outstanding contributions to our workers, and to the Labour Movement family. This year, 188 recipients from across our union leaders, management representatives and workers are recognised, reflecting the true spirit of Singapore’s Labour Movement as a collective “we” society. We also take this opportunity to acknowledge the strong and enduring partnership between unions, employers, and the Government that underpins Singapore’s progress and prosperity.
This year, we are proud to honour Brother Vivian Balakrishnan as our top awardee and recipient of the Medal of Honour. His commitment to workers is reflected in more than two decades of steadfast support, working closely alongside unions and tripartite partners to advocate for workers’ interests and well-being. Through integrity and quiet resolve, he has strengthened tripartite relations and made a meaningful difference for workers across sectors, including the Oil, Petrochemical, Energy and Chemicals sector, as well as the Integrated Resorts and Attractions sector.
We are deeply grateful for his unwavering support and for walking alongside the Labour Movement in advancing our mission to uplift every worker. Thank you, Brother Vivian!
NTUC’s Commitment to Workers in an AI-Enabled Economy
Tonight is about celebration — but it is also about gratitude. Because the achievements we honour reflect something deeper: leaders and partners who have never stood still, and who continue to step forward with our workers, even as the world of work changes. One thing has never changed: NTUC will always stand with workers. And in this era of rapid technological change, including AI, that commitment matters more than ever.
Just two weeks ago, NTUC and our tripartite partners formed the Tripartite Jobs Council, in short, TJC, to bring together capabilities and best practices — so that businesses can transform, and workers can move forward with confidence in the AI era.
At the May Day Rally, we were heartened that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong affirmed the Government’s support for workers, emphasising that while not every job can be protected, every worker will be supported. That principle guides the work we do — and it reflects the values that many of tonight’s awardees have lived out in their own organisations and sectors.
As AI adoption accelerates, the tripartite partners, through the TJC, will work together to ensure that there is no jobless growth. Together, we will act early and act together.
PMEs who make up nearly half of Singapore’s workforce, remain our key focus. As many continue to progress in the current economy, some may be more exposed to restructuring and technological disruption. Through initiatives such as AI-Ready SG, NTUC will continue to support PMEs and workers of all collars and ages, from youths to seniors, with AI training pathways and subsidies for AI tools, to help them upskill, stay relevant and resilient.
For our senior workers, this support is about more than skills. It is about enabling them to continue contributing meaningfully, with confidence and dignity. Experience remains a strength, and with the right support, senior workers can thrive in an AI-enabled economy.
Closing
To our award recipients, I once again extend my warmest congratulations. Tonight, we honour not just what you have achieved, but how you continue to lead through change. Your commitment reminds us that progress is not just about technology or about growth, but about people — and about ensuring no one is left behind.
The road ahead will bring new challenges. But as we see tonight, when unions, employers and the Government stand together, and when leaders step up with heart and purpose, our workers are in good hands. NTUC will continue to forge ahead to protect, champion, and uplift every worker in Singapore, because every worker matters.
With unity as our strength, we have succeeded before, and we can do so again, as one Labour Movement and one nation. Thank you, Sisters and Brothers, please enjoy your evening.
