Labour Day (Singapore)

In Singapore, May Day (or Labour Day) 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 People's Action Party (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.

Labour Day
Observed by	Singapore
Begins	1 May
Ends	1 May
Date	1 May
Next time	1 May 2024 (2024-05-01)
Frequency	annual

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 country. It also makes it easier for workers to come together for celebrations.

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 their families, which include events like the May Day Family Fiesta.

History of May Day

In the early days of Singapore, May Day rallies had the atmosphere of a persecuted sect preparing for another round of war. S. R. Nathan, 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.

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 labour enjoys a fair share of the fruits of labour.

In the 1969 May Day message, Mr. Peter Vincent, President of the National Trades Union Congress (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".

Milestones

May Day 1970

This marked the start of the Singapore Trade Union Movement's "First Year of Development". Workers at the NTUC rally resolved to ensure the complete success of the movement's modernisation programme in the new era.

May Day 1971

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 were held on May Day for workers to enjoy themselves in the company of their families and friends.

May Day 1972

This marked the end of wage restraint, 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.

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 National Wages Council, after presenting the interim recommendation in January, could not make the final recommendations in time for announcement on May Day.

May Day 1978

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 welfare of our workers. This move made the Labour Movement (NTUC et al.) a co-driver of national agenda instead of merely a bargainer.

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 NTUC 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".

May Day 1979

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 message and Labour Minister’s address.

May Day 1980

Mr Lim Chee Onn, then Secretary-General of NTUC, 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.

Devan Nair, 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.

May Day 1981

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.

May Day 1984–1985

Productivity continued to be the resonating message from 1984 to 1985. In 1984, Ong Teng Cheong, 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.

May Day 1986

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 tripartite cooperation between labour, management and the government to the test through the economic recession.

Speaker and theme of speeches at May Day rallies

Year	Speaker	Theme
1960	Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister	The PAP government and the trade union movement
1961	Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister	The PAP
1963	Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister	The unity of the working class movement
1964	Dr Toh Chin Chye, Deputy Prime Minister	NTUC’s part in coordinating trade union activity throughout Malaysia
1965	Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister	Power comes with responsibility
1966	Dr Toh Chin Chye, Deputy Prime Minister	Call for double efforts to boost productivity
1967	Dr Toh Chin Chye, Deputy Prime Minister	Problems posed by British military withdrawal
1968	Mr S Rajaratnam, Minister for Labour	The role of the trade union movement
1969	Mr S Rajaratnam, Minister for Labour	The trade union, new labour laws, employment and industrialisation
1970	Mr S Rajaratnam, Minister for Labour	Better times ahead
1972	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	The national cake and the importance of increasing its size
1973	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	Government agrees: 9%; goodwill and good sense must prevail
1974	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	The spirit of responsible trade unionism
1975	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	Economic development remains a national priority
1976	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	Work together for Singapore's prosperity
1977	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	The achievement of competitive cost is a tripartite affair
1978	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	Tripartism in action
1979	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	Trade union leadership
1980	Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour	Restructuring our economy
1981	Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Minister for Labour	Greater team spirit at the work place
1982	Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Minister for Labour	Worker's welfare - an important productivity factor
1983	Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister	NTUC needs self-renewal too; why house unions
1984	Mr Goh Chok Tong, Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health	Keep Singapore flying on course
1985	Mr Goh Chok Tong, First Deputy Prime Minister	Bright future since our basics are right
1986	Mr Goh Chok Tong, First Deputy Prime Minister	Greater team spirit at the work place
1987	Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary General, NTUC	—
2004	Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister	Singapore’s core strengths: fighting spirit, unity and nimbleness, and adaptability
2005	Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister	Continue to strengthen tripartite relationship, tackle our challenges and make Singapore a small but special country
2006	Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister	Together a bright future for all
2007	Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister	Keep Singapore special and unique through creating prosperity for a new generation of Singaporeans
2008	Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister	Living the Singapore story – growth for the country, investing in our people and thinking long-term
2009	Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister	Singaporeans need to stand together to ride out the economic uncertainties
2010	Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister	Singapore’s long-term strategy and the importance of raising productivity
2011	Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister	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
2012	Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister	To build an inclusive society and share the fruits of growth with every Singaporean
2019	Mr. Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister	Celebrating 200 years of Singapore History & Pioneer Generation
2020	Mr. Lee Hsien Long, Prime Minister	COVID-19's impact on Singapore's workers, economy and the road ahead
2021	Mr. Lee Hsien Long, Prime Minister	Strengthening the partnership, and building a brighter future for Singapore for the next 60 years and beyond
2022	Mr. Lee Hsien Long, Prime Minister	The imperative to move forward, to renew, to endure and to transform ourselves has never been stronger
2023	Mr. Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister	The volatile external environment, geopolitical tensions, and the risk of recession in the West

See also

• Labour movement of Singapore