For the first time ever, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be delivering his May Day Message on national television.
The simulcast across national television channels will happen on 7.30pm this Thursday, April 30.
The speech will also be streamed via the respective social media channels: Prime Minister Office’s Facebook page and YouTube, and NTUC Singapore’s Facebook page and YouTube.
In a press statement, the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) said it has keeping a close watch on the COVID-19 situation, and reviewing the May Day celebration events that were originally scheduled to take place from late April till June.
"In line with tightened COVID-19 circuit breaker measures, NTUC will be doing things differently across our key May Day events," it said.
A physical May Day Rally – which is NTUC’s signature annual event – will not happen this year.
Traditionally, more than 1,500 Labour Movement leaders and tripartite partners would gather at NTUC’s signature annual event, May Day Rally, to reaffirm their commitment to advance the interests of our workers.
This year, in a similar show of solidarity, union leaders, employers and government leaders will be participating in a closed-door virtual dialogue session. It will be helmed by NTUC President Mary Liew, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, together with Manpower Minister Josephine Teo and Singapore National Employers Federation President Dr Robert Yap.
“While we will be celebrating May Day 2020 differently this year, I am heartened that the spirit of wanting to come together to serve our workers, and to show our solidarity as tripartite partners remains very strong," said May Day 2020 Organising Chairperson, NTUC Assistant Director-General Vivek Kumar.
"We stand in solidarity with our workers in these difficult times.”