SINGAPORE - Members of the labour movement had their eyes closed and heads bowed for a minute of silence at 12pm on Tuesday, as a mark of respect for Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Those present at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) centre where the observance was held included NTUC's president Diana Chia, secretary-general Lim Swee Say and deputy secretary-generals Chan Chun Sing and Heng Chee How.

The union leaders also bowed three times in front of Mr Lee's portrait.

Singapore's key founding father and first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew died on Monday morning at the age of 91.

Mr Lim said Mr Lee's contributions were "beyond words".

"He cares not in words but in actions; not in years but decades," he said.

The labour movement has also set up a tribute centre at Level 1 of the NTUC Centre, located at One Marina Boulevard.

Members of the public can pen their messages of condolences at the tribute centre from Tuesday to Sunday, between 8am and 8pm daily.

A 40-page special edition of the NTUC This Week, the union's weekly publication, on Mr Lee Kuan Yew's journey and involvement with the Labour Movement can also be obtained at selected FairPrice Finest, FairPrice Xtra, and other selected FairPrice outlets from Tuesday afternoon onwards. Copies are also available at the Tribute Centre at One Marina Boulevard

On Friday evening, NTUC will hold a tribute event at the Singapore Conference Hall, which will be attended by about 800 invited past and present union leaders, tripartite partners and members of the labour movement.