SINGAPORE - SMRT will receive the Plaque of Commendation (Gold) at Wednesday's National Trade Union Congress May Day Awards for promoting strong relations between its management, staff and unions, and also improving the welfare and career progression of its labour force.

It will be the first time the transport operator has won the award and marks a turnaround from the illegal November 2012 strike involving 171 of the company's Chinese bus captains over alleged unfair pay and poor living accommodation.

SMRT said on Tuesday that by working with union leaders and the National Transport Workers' Union, it has increased wages and introduced a performance-based incentive framework.

Training and development programmes have also increased and the company has also raised the re-employment age to 67.