May Day in Singapore is an occasion to acknowledge the valuable contributions of workers and to reaffirm the commitment of labour movement leaders, employers, and the Government to safeguard the interests of workers.

Singapore had gotten the public to clap for #SGUnited, a campaign to show their appreciation for workers at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. On the maritime front, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), SMOU, the Singapore Organisation of Seamen, and the Singapore Shipping Association called for ships in the Port of Singapore to collectively sound their horns for 15 seconds at 12 noon (Singapore local time) on May Day. The act serves as a tribute to seafarers for keeping the supply chains and maritime trade going amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SMOU General Secretary Mary Liew reminded us that “seafarers are essential service providers of the global supply chain. They play a critical role during this pandemic by transporting essential goods such as food and medicine to consumers and hospitals across the world.”