SINGAPORE - The Singapore National Employers Federation and unions here united to urge companies to show special recognition to workers in celebration of Singapore's 50 years of independence.

Speaking on Friday at a media briefing on the National Wages Council's annual wage guidelines for the year ahead, National Trades Union Congress president Diana Chia called on companies that are doing well to reward workers for their contributions toward Singapore's economic progress.

SNEF president Robert Yap also said his organisation "would like to encourage companies that do well to recognise the contributions of their employees in their own ways".

Mr Yap noted that DBS Bank has given all employees ranked vice-president and below a $1,000 cash bonus, while in May SMRT gave all employees $500 worth of shopping vouchers.

NTUC's Social Enterprises will also be giving its employees gifts. NTUC FairPrice announced that it's 10,000 staff will receive vouchers of between $100 and $200.

The government is considering appropriate ways to recognise public officers' contributions, said Manpower Ministry permanent secretary Loh Khum Yean.