According to labour chief Lim Swee Say, who used a football analogy at yesterday's May Day Rally, the score is currently tied at 1-1.

But he was quick to add that the Singapore team - Singapore United - is not settling for a draw.

'We're playing to win. We're cutting costs to save jobs and to be cheaper,' the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said.

'But more importantly, we're also upgrading service quality and building better manufacturing capability so that we can survive as a cheaper Singapore and grow as a better Singapore.'

He was speaking to an audience of 1,400 unionists, employers and guests, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching.

More than 10 Cabinet ministers and 20 Members of Parliament also attended the rally - a key annual event for the labour movement - at Downtown East, the NTUC-owned recreation centre in Pasir Ris.

In his familiar style, Mr Lim triggered smiles, applause and laughter from the crowd with his analogy of the football game representing Singapore's battle against the adverse impact of the global economic recession.

He also peppered his 25-minute speech with anecdotes about individuals and companies who have contributed to cutting costs and saving jobs, and who have recognised the importance of skills upgrading.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.