Last year, the global economy grew by 4.9 per cent and the global unemployment rate reached 6.1 per cent. Of 56 economies surveyed by The Economist, Singapore is the only country that achieved GDP growth of more than 5 per cent and an unemployment rate of less than 3 per cent.

There are two key reasons for this. First, we invested in Singaporeans to ensure their employability and competitiveness. Our jobless rate is one of the world's lowest; our employment rate for Singaporeans aged 25 to 64 is among the highest.

Second, we leverage foreign manpower to reinforce our small workforce of 1.7 million Singaporeans, to compete better against countries many times our size. The societal position of Singaporean workers is not in question because Singaporeans and foreigners work together for mutual benefit as a single workforce.

Naturally, we care for less skilled and less employable workers. NTUC, with the Government and employers' bodies, supports them:

• For those with no skills and no jobs, we train them at the Employment and Employability Institute and help them secure employment;

• For those with jobs but without CPF, our Unit for Contract and Casual Workers helps them secure CPF and benefit from Workfare Income Supplement;

• For those with jobs and CPF but earning lower wages, the Job Re-creation Programme re-designs their jobs so they can earn more;

• For those with skills but having lost their jobs due to restructuring, the Professionals Conversion Programme helps them find jobs in new growth sectors;

• For those with jobs but approaching retirement age of 62, we work with companies to continue employing them under the Re-employment Programme for Older Workers; and

• For women who have left the workforce, the Back-to-Work Women Programme helps them re-enter the workforce.

These tripartite efforts are making progress. Let us treat all workers with consideration, show them our appreciation and recognise their contribution. This is the best way to uphold their societal position.

Through the annual May Day Model Workers Awards, we honour ordinary Singaporeans who display extraordinary will to upgrade and be self-reliant. This year, 195 such workers will be recognised. They include cleaners, landscape technicians, security guards, bus captains and health-care assistants. We should all look up to them, not just on May Day, but every day.

Lim Swee Say
Secretary-General
National Trades Union Congress