SM Lee accorded top May Day honour for championing workers

He is feted for embodying NTUC's principle that every worker matters

- Sharon Salim

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong was accorded the labour movement's top May Day award on April 25 for four decades of dedication towards improving the lives and livelihoods of workers.

National Trades Union Congress president K. Thanaletchimi presented the Distinguished Comrade of Labour award to SM Lee at the yearly May Day awards ceremony held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

NTUC said in a statement that the highest accolade is conferred on those who have made unique and supreme contributions to the labour movement.

"In his many years of public service, he has been unwavering in his dedication to improving the lives and livelihoods of our workers and Singaporeans. Under his leadership, we were able to emerge stronger together from economic crises," Ms Thanaletchimi said in her speech at the ceremony.

Addressing a roomful of about 1,200 guests, including awardees, their families, colleagues, union leaders and tripartite partners, she said: "Brother Hsien Loong has embodied NTUC's principle, that every worker matters."

She noted that it is tripartism—the three-way relationship between employers, unions and the Government—that sets Singapore apart, enabling workers to remain resilient and unified in the face of adversity.

SM Lee joins six other past recipients of the award since its inception in 1963, including his late father, founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, former president of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Stephen Lee and former prime minister Goh Chok Tong. The 2025 list honoured a record 180 awardees.

NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How, who read out the top award's citation, said NTUC benefitted from SM Lee's strong support for a wide range of initiatives, including its Job Security Council and Company Training Committee grant to help companies transform their business and workforce.