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The contributions of workers, union leaders, tripartite partners and organisations took centre stage at the NTUC May Day Awards 2026, where a record 188 individuals and institutions were honoured for their commitment to strengthening Singapore’s Labour Movement.
Held on 13 May 2026 at Orchid Country Club, the event, anchoring on the theme “Caring for You, Supporting Your Progress”, gathered more than 1,200 guests in celebration of collective efforts to uplift workers and support industries across Singapore.
A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Medal of Honour, NTUC’s highest accolade, to Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who was also Guest-of-Honour for the award ceremony. Over more than two decades, Dr Balakrishnan has worked closely with unions and tripartite partners to advance workers welfare, support workforce transformation and strengthen Singapore’s tripartite partnership through periods of economic and industrial change.
Among the notable recipients was Brother Teo Eng Dih, former Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), who received the Medal of Commendation following his nomination by SMOU. Serving as MPA Chief Executive from September 2022 to July 2025, Brother Teo played a significant role in advancing workforce development and expanding career opportunities within the maritime sector.
Brother Teo was especially instrumental in supporting the Tripartite Maritime Training Award (TMTA) programme, which strengthened training and reskilling opportunities for maritime professionals amid rapid industry transformation. His strong support for workers and commitment to preparing the maritime workforce for digitalisation and decarbonisation efforts have left a meaningful impact on the industry.
SMOU congratulates all May Day Awardees 2026 for their dedication and contributions towards improving the lives of workers and strengthening Singapore’s workforce.
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