NTUC Confers Medal of Honour on Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at May Day Awards 2026 Ceremony

Foreign Minister honoured for over two decades of partnering with unions and supporting workers

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, was conferred the Medal of Honour, this year’s top May Day Award, at the NTUC May Day Awards 2026 held today at the Orchid Country Club. Hosted by NTUC President K Thanaletchimi and Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, the ceremony brought together over 1,200 distinguished guests, including awardees, their families, colleagues, friends and tripartite partners.

A total of 188 awardees were honoured this year, the highest number of recipients to date. The annual NTUC May Day Awards recognise organisations and individuals, including union leaders, tripartite partners, and workers, for their exemplary dedication to championing workers' interests and strengthening the Labour Movement.

A Legacy of Service to The Workers

Dr Balakrishnan was conferred the prestigious Medal of Honour in recognition of his exceptional and continued contributions to Singapore's Labour Movement and workforce development. The Medal of Honour is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, long-standing commitment, and transformative impact on workers' welfare, industrial relations, and national progress.

For over two decades, Dr Balakrishnan has been a steadfast partner with the Labour Movement, from guiding workers through major industrial transitions to championing Singapore’s standing on the world stage. Over these two decades, he was an advisor to multiple unions, including SSEU, SRCEU, STU, UWPI, EMSEU, ACEU, and AREU¹ , he worked closely with union leaders and management to navigate complex workforce challenges and safeguard workers’ interests.

Supporting the OPEC Sector

In the Oil, Petrochemical, Energy and Chemicals (OPEC) sector, Dr Balakrishnan supported unions through major organisational and workplace changes at Shell, helping to mediate sensitive issues through close engagement with the management. These include the transition to 12-hour shifts at Shell’s Bukom energy and chemicals park, the extension of collective representation to professionals, managers and executives (PMEs), the formation of the Joint Capability Council (JCC) between Shell Singapore and SSEU to upskill workers on digital literacy, data analytics, and adaptive skills for low-carbon, digitalised operations, and a restructuring exercise. Dr Balakrishnan’s efforts helped maintain industrial harmony and ensured workers were treated fairly and respectfully throughout these changes.

In 2024, Shell divested its Energy and Chemicals Park, which is now operating under Aster Chemicals and Energy Pte. Ltd. Throughout the process, Dr Balakrishnan engaged constructively with government agencies, Shell and SSEU to advocate for responsible employment outcomes, ensuring that workers were treated fairly and well supported as they transitioned.

Dr Balakrishnan recognised that this was more than a corporate transaction. It had implications for workers’ livelihoods, their families, and a workforce with deep, accumulated capabilities built over many years. As the acquisition created a new group of workers who required representation, Dr Balakrishnan stepped in early to work closely with all parties, forging strong bonds with union leaders, and volunteered to be the advisor for ACEU, even before the union was formed, ensuring workers continued to have a collective voice and demonstrating his commitment to workers’ advocacy.

Across decades of advising unions in diverse industries, from oil refineries and petrochemical plants to integrated resorts, attractions, and clubs, Dr Balakrishnan has consistently observed that all workers share the same fundamental aspirations: to build a better life, support their families, and give their children opportunities greater than their own. This conviction also shaped his steadfast support for union welfare initiatives, including fundraising efforts to assist lower income members and their families.

Strengthening Singapore’s Relationship Abroad

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Balakrishnan continues to steer Singapore through a complex and more uncertain global environment to safeguard our economic resilience, security and international standing. By strengthening trust and expanding cooperation with like-minded partners, he has helped sustain trade and investment flows that underpin business continuity, quality jobs, and long-term opportunities in our highly trade-dependent economy.

NTUC President K Thanaletchimi said, “We are proud to honour Brother Vivian Balakrishnan as our top awardee this year. His commitment to workers goes beyond words, reflected in more than two decades of dedication alongside unions and tripartite partners to advance workers’ interests and welfare. Through integrity and quiet resolve, he has strengthened tripartite relations and made a meaningful difference to workers across sectors. We are grateful for his unwavering support and for walking alongside unions and NTUC in advocating our mission to uplift every worker.”

She added, “I also extend my warmest congratulations to all the awardees of the May Day Awards 2026 for their courage, creativity and resilience in making workplaces and workers’ lives better. These values have helped shape Singapore’s society and will continue to do so in the years ahead. I am confident that the awardees will keep leading by example, mentoring the next generation of unionists and partners in the same spirit of service and solidarity.”

Recognising Exemplary Individuals and Organisations for Their Contributions to The Labour Movement

At the NTUC May Day Awards 2026 ceremony, NTUC Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng presented a total of 159 awards to individuals and 29 awards to organisations. The awardees have displayed exemplary commitment to advancing workers’ interests and strengthening the labour movement, including:

a. Union leaders who have championed workers’ interests through active engagement with members, strengthened representation, and ensured workers’ concerns were heard, and collaborated with employers to address workplace challenges.

b. Workers who have embodied the spirit of Worker 4.0 by driving workplace improvements, enhancing productivity, and committing to continuous upskilling. These efforts strengthened their employability and readiness to meet evolving job demands.

c. Management partners and organisations that have invested in workers through fair and inclusive workplace practices, upskilling opportunities, and built stronger labour-management relations. They have also driven workplace and business transformation through initiatives such as the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC), helping uplift workers' wages, welfare and work prospects.

d. Tripartite partners who have been working closely with unions and employers to shape progressive labour policies, and support workers’ livelihoods

Please see Annexes A and B for Dr Balakrishnan’s NTUC May Day Awards 2026 Awards Citation and Transcript of LabourBeat’s Interview respectively.

¹ The Singapore Shell Employees' Union (SSEU), Singapore Refining Company Employees' Union (SRCEU), Singapore Teachers’ Union (STU), United Workers of Petroleum Industry (UWPI), ExxonMobil Singapore Employees Union (EMSEU), Aster Chemicals and Energy Union (ACEU), and Attractions, Resorts and Entertainment Union (AREU).