Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong receives the highest accolade at May Day Awards 2025

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong was awarded the top honour at this year's NTUC May Day Awards on 25 April 2025, recognising his 40 years of dedication to advancing workers’ lives in Singapore.

He received the Distinguished Comrade of Labour, a May Day award presented to individuals who have made unique and supreme contributions to the Labour Movement.

This award is the highest accolade at the May Day Awards 2025, a signature event celebrating workers’ contributions annually since 1963.

Mr Lee joins an illustrious list of past recipients, including Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and NTUC Secretaries-General Ong Teng Cheong, Lim Boon Heng, and Lim Swee Say.

Throughout his various roles over four decades, including Minister of State for Defence, Trade and Industry, and later as Prime Minister, his involvement expanded significantly.

He stepped down as Prime Minister in May 2024, handing the reins to the current Singapore Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong.

Despite the transition to Senior Minister, he has continued to engage with the Labour Movement, most recently participating in a dialogue with union leaders on 14 April 2025.

A tripartite stalwart with a heart for workers

Mr Lee embodies the ethos of the Labour Movement, having dedicated years to ensuring that “Every Worker Matters” while contributing to the growth of the Singapore economy.

His impactful body of work includes leading the nation through various national crises in partnership with the Labour Movement and employers, and elevating the lives of lower-income workers by supporting the NTUC-initiated Progressive Wage Model, which is now enshrined in law.

A strong proponent of upskilling, he laid the foundation for the current SkillsFuture movement to keep workers’ skills fresh and employable. He also supported numerous initiatives to enhance workers’ skills, including NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) for holistic career support, NTUC’s Job Security Council to aid displaced workers, and NTUC’s Company Training Committee (CTC) to transform skills.

Another meaningful contribution is his role in improving workplace safety and health, which has led to better health and safety standards, reduced accident rates, and enhanced working conditions.

In an exclusive interview with NTUC, the former Prime Minister recounted his journey with the Labour Movement, highlighting his early involvement with union leaders and his work with the unions during national crises, such as the post-independence economic recession of 1985 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have surmounted tribulations. We have made steady progress, and today, I believe workers are better off than they were 10 years ago, even five years ago, despite COVID-19. I think it is not my achievement alone, but it is what we have done together in the tripartite partnership,” he said.

In the interview, Mr Lee also shared his insights on various issues, including upskilling, tripartism, and the role of unions in a changing world.

Meanwhile, NTUC President K. Thanaletchimi also paid tribute to his extensive contributions.

“SM Lee has been putting workers at the heart of Singapore’s progress. His leadership shaped policies that uplifted workers, protected jobs, and ensured no worker was left behind.

“We are grateful for his strong support to NTUC and the Labour Movement throughout the decades,” she said.

SG60 May Day Awards 2025

The SG60 edition of the NTUC May Day Awards recognised a record-breaking 180 awardees.

Reflecting the May Day 2025 theme, “For You, With You, Because You Matter”, the event celebrated outstanding individuals and companies across 15 different categories that went the extra mile to uplift workers.

Among the 143 individuals feted were dedicated union leaders, exemplary workers, progressive management personnel, and supportive tripartite partners. Additionally, 37 companies received accolades for prioritising their workers as their businesses grew.

Around 1,200 guests, including awardees, their families, colleagues, union leaders, and tripartite partners, attended the ceremony.

NTUC representatives presented the awards to the recipients, including the top honour.

Read the full interview on Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the May Day Awards 2024 magazine. More details on the awardees can be found at May Day Awards Organisations Listings.