It's May Day and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is working as he delivered his annual May Day Rally speech.

His key message?

It is the responsibility of this generation of Singapore to "renew Singapore, to open a new chapter, to create new possibilities and frontiers for our country".

Instinct to plan ahead

He urged the younger generation of Singaporeans to have the instinct to plan ahead, the drive to do better, and the sense of mission to build something special together in Singapore, and have the duty of stewardship.

Farewell, leader

While the May Day Rally speech tradition is the same, and the hallmark U t-shirt continues to be the dress code of choice, the leaders of the labour movement have changed.

It is Chan Chun Sing's last May Day Rally as Labour Chief, with Education Minister Ng Chee Meng slated to take over him as NTUC Sec-Gen eventually.

Ng, together with Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon, were unveiled as part-time deputy secretaries-general in the labour movement, after an NTUC Central Committee meeting on April 23.

On the same evening, they were introduced to about 150 key union leaders at a dialogue session by NTUC President Mary Liew and Chan.

Ng will join NTUC full-time today.

In fact, PM Lee rather appreciates the orderly leadership transition at NTUC, and even alluded to the much-talked about PM leadership transition:

"I was very happy just now to listen to Brother Chun Sing and to watch him introduce new people on stage, and have the new people to have a chance to speak to you and tell you what they are thinking of doing. I think it's the right way for the labour movement to go.

It's the right way for Singapore to go. One of these days I will do the same thing like Brother Chun Sing."

The quip drew laughter and applause from a friendly 1,600-strong crowd at D’Marquee in Downtown East that included unionists, workers, employers and ministers.

Here are three takeaways from his May Day Rally speech:

1. Trade tensions between the United States and China and its impact on Singapore's economy.

PM Lee said that the trade tensions between the US and China will affect Singapore's economy, noting that "Singapore will suffer collateral damage even though we are not involved in the fight".

PM Lee added that "as a small country, Singapore will always be vulnerable to what happens around us. We don't control events. We don't determine what the big countries do".

You can read more about PM Lee's views on the trade tensions between the US and China here:

2. The need for businesses and the workforce to transform and adapt to changes at home

PM Lee used the examples of banking, transport and retail and logistics to illustrate how technology has disrupted industries.

He said that the government will work with businesses and the labour movement to help companies adapt, and to retrain the workers, making themselves more employable.

PM Lee added that technology has improved people's lives and provided new opportunities, adding that the "government and labour movement will walk with you, and support you all the way".

3. New and old NTUC leaders praised, saying that it is part of the leadership transition Singapore is undergoing

On leadership transition, PM Lee said that the younger political leaders have to renew the trust between government and the NTUC, and its commitment to the tripartite relationship.

PM Lee added:

"The fourth generation political leadership is learning on the job, taking on more responsibilities, and preparing for succession. At the same time, a younger generation of union leaders is being groomed. They are learning from the elders, and in time to take over the reins.

It (tripartitism) is the one crucial ingredient that is unique to our success that others cannot copy. It's not a secret in the sense that people don't know about it, but secret in the sense that they can see it but they can't do it.

Without the labour movement partnering companies; without NTUC partnering the People's Action Party in a symbiotic relationship; without the Government, unions and businesses sharing responsibility for Singapore's future, we would not have made it here. We build this together."

On Chan, the outgoing Labour Chief:

"Brother Chan Chun Sing has been your Sec-Gen for the last three years. Chun Sing has pushed forth and led these schemes (NTUC enterprises).

As all of you know, I am moving Chun Sing back to MTI. And in MTI, Chun Sing will be responsible for the overall economy. But I am sure his experience in NTUC will prove valuable to him, and prove valuable to you too in the labour movement. Because he has now got first-hand experience in the labour movement, the workers' concerns, of dealing with the tripartite partners.

And the labour movement will now have a special friend in MTI, just as it has in MOM, with Brother Swee Say before and now with Sister Josephine (applause). "

On Ng, the Deputy Secretary-General and likely Labour Chief:

"Your (NTUC) Central Committee has asked me for Brother Ng Chee Meng in place of Chun Sing, which I have agreed (applause). Brother Chee Meng is no stranger to the labour movement. In MOE and MOT, he worked very closely with the teachers' unions, and the transport workers' unions. I am confident that he would build on Chun Sing's good work, and lead NTUC well. Together with Poh Koon, with Brother Chee How, Sister Mary, take the labour movement to greater heights (applause)."

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On Koh Poh Koon, Deputy Secretary-General and Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Trade and Industry:

"That is why when the NTUC Central Committee asked me for a political office holder to work on industry transformation and to help MTI coordinate the implementation of the Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs), I agreed straightaway.

I decided to send you Brother Koh Poh Koon (applause). Because Poh Koon is the best fit. He is in MTI, he co-chairs one of the ITM clusters. He was a professional before he came in to politics. So he can help you reach out to the PMETs as well".

Top photo from Prime Minister's Office, Singapore

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