5,000 union leaders, key representatives from the Labour Movement and tripartite partners gathered at The Star Performing Arts Centre to celebrate this year's May Day, which is also the 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence.

The highlights of the May Day Rally were the speeches made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and outgoing Labour Chief Lim Swee Say.

Below are four key points from PM Lee's May Day Rally speech:

1. Government always on the side of workers:

The late Lee Kuan Yew devoted his entire life to fighting for workers and improving their lives. He started his political career in the unions, fighting for postal workers in 1952 and leading them in a successful strike.

PM Lee noted that no other country in the world has such a strong and long-lasting relationship between the government and workers. Singapore's unions are equal partners with employers and the government.

2. Keep Singapore exceptional to survive: 

Singapore is small but other countries take Singapore seriously because they believe Singapore can make a contribution beyond this island. Singapore is the largest foreign investor in China and Indonesia.

How can Singapore remain exceptional? PM highlighted three goals:

• The economy must be successful

• Workers must be hardworking and skilful

• The leadership must be outstanding

3. Exceptional leaders are needed: 

Outstanding leadership needed in the unions and at the national level.

Leadership renewal is the most important issue in the next election.

4. PM given "all-clear" for prostate cancer:

The doctors has given PM Lee the all-clear for prostate cancer after undergoing operation in February to remove his cancerous prostate gland.

At a follow-up blood test two weeks ago, doctors said that PM's survival rate for prostate cancer is 98 per cent after 15 years.

5. This year’s quotable quote by NTUC Sec-Gen Lim: “Today’s tomorrow is tomorrow’s today”:

In Lim’s words, Singapore must keep looking ahead to keep doing well.

SkillsFuture and JobsFuture initiatives, like the "DNA of Singapore", must move forward in tandem ahead of the competition so that the country can secure an SG100 that is better than the SG50 today.

6. May Day - the start of a new core team of tripartite leaders for Singapore:

Ministry of Manpower: Lim will take over as Manpower Minister from Tan Chuan-Jin.

Singapore National Employers Federation: Robert Yap, Chairman and chief executive of supply chain management firm YCH Group, succeeded Stephen Lee as president.

NTUC: Chan Chun Sing will be the new labour chief next Monday. Chan, in Lim's words, has three important attributes: 1) Heart at the right place; 2) Good standing in the Cabinet; 3) Core member of the next generation of national leadership.

Related articles:

8 election-is-coming quotes PM Lee Hsien Loong issued during May Day Rally 2015

Top photo from Prime Minister's Office.

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