For over a hundred years, the 1st of May has been a day to recognise the contribution of workers and the labour movement. In Singapore, we call it Labour Day. For decades, the Prime Minister, or someone else from the Cabinet, gives a speech to the Labour Movement at the May Day Rally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This may, PM Lawrence Wong gave his first May Day Rally speech<\/a> \u2013 speaking in front of 1,600 union leaders and tripartite partners at the all-new D\u2019Marquee at Downtown East which reopened just a few months ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year\u2019s speech was significant in several ways, as it also marked Singapore\u2019s 60th<\/sup> birthday and the last day of campaigning for Singapore\u2019s General Elections 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: Why We Celebrate Labour Day On 1 May<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Wong began by setting the context for a \u201cdouble celebration\u201d, both May Day and SG60, and reflected on how far Singapore had come in the past 60 years of independence. Referring to more recent events, he acknowledged the hard work of the labour movement in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic and the worst full-year recession since independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Singapore was able to \u201cbounce back strongly\u201d and achieve a GDP growth of more than 4% in 2024. PM Wong attributed this to how the labour movement worked with companies to \u201cminimise retrenchments, and to negotiate fair retrenchment benefits\u201d. For workers were displaced, NTUC helped to find them new roles and provided assistance to those who needed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSG60 May Day is a tribute to everyone in the Labour Movement,\u201d said PM Wong, especially those who \u201cheld the fort in times of storms\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: Understanding The History Of Unions In Singapore (And Why They Matter For Politics)<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just after emerging from one crisis, Singapore finds itself in a \u201cnew storm\u201d. PM Wong reiterated his message to Parliament last month \u2013 that \u201cthe world has changed \u2013 and it is not changing back anytime soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The US is \u201ctargeting other regional countries that they think are bypassing their rules\u201d and Singapore will likely \u201cbe put under greater scrutiny as well\u201d warned PM Wong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having spoken to companies, PM Wong concluded that \u201cthe impact is real and growing.\u201d With the global economy being affected as investments are \u201cheld back\u201d, and operations \u201cscaled down\u201d, PM Wong believes it will eventually hit Singapore. Even though the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) projects a slower GDP right now, PM Wong warned that we \u201ccannot rule out a full-blown recession\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier in this year\u2019s Budget, PM Wong announced several measures and said they were \u201cstill being rolled out progressively over the next few months\u201d. He gave assurances that the situation would be monitored and should things get worse, \u201cwe are ready to do more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also: 5 Takeaways From PM Lawrence Wong\u2019s Ministerial Statement About The Trump Tariffs<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On a more optimistic note, PM Wong said that \u201cit is not all doom and gloom\u201d, and that his goal was to make sure \u201cevery worker in Singapore is prepared\u201d to take on \u201cnew opportunities\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elaborating, he shared that many countries in Asia and parts of the Middle East are some of the \u201cfastest-growing economies today\u201d, and that as \u201ca large market with a rising middle class\u201d, it will \u201ccontinue to attract global investments\u201d that Singaporeans can take advantage of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, PM Wong mentioned the \u201cemerging regions like Latin America and Africa\u201d. Admitting that ties with these regions are \u201climited today because of distance\u201d, he nonetheless said \u201cwe can do more to link up with them for mutual benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Wong revealed that in meetings with \u201cmany CEOs of multinational firms\u201d, they saw potential in Asia and are \u201ckeen to do more here in Singapore\u201d, due to its status as a \u201creliable and pro-business hub\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On that note, PM Wong namedropped Grab and Razer as Singapore firms that have \u201cestablished themselves as regional or industry leaders\u201d, and that more would be done by the government to \u201chelp the SMEs scale up\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this point, PM Wong also gave credit to NTUC for \u201cdoing its part\u201d to help companies grow, citing the Company Training Committees (CTCs) which \u201cbring businesses, workers and unions together\u201d. This results in a scenario where \u201ceveryone wins\u201d. Businesses transform and stay competitive, workers skill up, \u201cstay ahead of the curve\u201d and \u201cget better wages too\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Wong pointed out that $100 million was provided in \u201cfunding support\u201d for the CTC in the 2022 Budget, and an additional $200 million of funding was provided in this year\u2019s Budget \u201cto help NTUC scale up its CTC efforts\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this point, PM Wong once again reiterated that the Government and NTUC would work \u201ctogether to make life better for every worker\u201d. In particular, he named three main groups \u2013 new graduates entering the workforce, mid-career workers and seniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For new graduates, the Government would do more to \u201cstep up career counselling, career sessions, job matching programmes\u201d, as well as \u201csecure apprenticeships and traineeships\u201d. For mid-career workers, he reinforced the heavy investment into SkillsFuture, to give them a \u201csubstantial injection of skills\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As for seniors in the workforce, the government would provide wage support for employers to employ older workers, as well as job matching services. PM Wong also mentioned the formation of a new tripartite workgroup chaired by Senior Minister of State for Manpower Koh Poh Koon. This workgroup will make recommendations on how to empower more seniors to stay in the workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PM Wong concluded his maiden May Day Rally speech as Prime Minister by reiterating the importance of tripartism \u2013 the government, the labour movement and employers all working \u201cas partners\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read Also:<\/strong><\/em> <\/em><\/strong>MOM Turns 70 \u2013 Here Are 7 Things You May Not Have Known About How Ministry of Manpower Was Formed In 1955<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n#1 A Celebration Of May Day In SG60<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#2 A \u201cNew Storm\u201d Ahead, With A US-China Trade War<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#3 \u201cRays Of Light\u201d Amidst Immense Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#4 \u201cDo More To Help The SMEs Scale Up\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#5 \u201cMake Life Better For Every Worker\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n