In recognition of his contributions to workers and the Labour Movement, NTUC Club Management Council Member Bob Tan Beng Hai was conferred with this year’s top May Day honour – the Distinguished Service (Star) award.
The 70-year-old Labour Movement veteran accepted the award during the May Day Awards 2022 ceremony, held at Fairmont Singapore on 19 May 2022.
Over his near three-decade tenure with the Labour Movement, Mr Tan has held various positions.
He began his journey with NTUC Healthcare Co-operative Limited as its board member and chairman of audit committee back in 1993 to 2003. Today, besides serving as a member in the NTUC Club Management Council, he is also a board member with the Ong Teng Cheong Labour and Leadership Institute (OTCi).
Mr Tan still feels humbled to be a recipient despite having received two other May Day Awards in the last 10 years.
“I must say I'm deeply honoured, but I feel rather embarrassed by this award. There are so many [other] people who help out in NTUC Club and in fact in the whole NTUC institution.
“Getting this award is, to me, a big deal,” he said.
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng with Distinguished Service (Star) Award recipient Bob Tan Beng Hai.
The Highest Number of Awardees to Date
May Day Awards 2022 saw 148 other award recipients – the highest number of awardees ever for the May Day event.
NTUC President Mary Liew, who hosted the event alongside NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, thanked the awardees for their efforts in cushioning the impact brought about by COVID-19.
“Tonight, we just want to pay tribute to you. We want to salute you for your resilience in adapting and for navigating in the new norm of work. We recognise the important work that you're doing have enabled us to keep our nation going during a very difficult time,” she said.
Mr Ng also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the recipients for their contributions.
“Beyond the physical awards, know that you are contributing to the success of Singapore and the betterment of lives of Singaporeans,” he said.
Honouring Exemplary Organisations and Individuals
Of the 149 award recipients, 16 individuals and organisations were presented with higher awards this year.
Among them were Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Pang Kin Keong, who received the Distinguished Service award, and Changi Airport Group, which received the Plaque of Commendation (Gold) award.
Former chairman of the Public Transport Council, the late Richard Magnus was also posthumously conferred the Distinguished Service award.
A total of 32 organisations were honoured for their efforts towards the enhancement of labour-management relations, as well as their support for initiatives driven by the Labour Movement.
Read More: Full listing of May Day Awards 2022.
