NTUC confers Medal of Honour on Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at May Day Awards 2026

Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan received the highest accolade at this year’s NTUC May Day Awards on 13 May 2026, recognising more than two decades of steadfast partnership with the Labour Movement.

He received the Medal of Honour, an award conferred on individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, long-standing commitment, and transformative impact on workers’ welfare, industrial relations, and national progress.

The ceremony was held at the Orchid Country Club and hosted by NTUC President K Thanaletchimi and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, with over 1,200 guests in attendance, including awardees, their families, colleagues, and tripartite partners.

A principled advocate for workers

Throughout his years alongside the Labour Movement, Dr Balakrishnan has served as adviser to multiple unions across vastly different sectors – including oil refineries and petrochemical plants, integrated resorts and attractions, and the teaching profession.

In each role, he worked closely with union leaders and management to navigate complex workforce challenges, ensuring workers’ concerns were heard and their interests protected.

In the Oil, Petrochemical, Energy and Chemicals (OPEC) sector, he played a key role supporting workers through major changes at Shell – including the transition to 12-hour shifts at Bukom, the extension of collective representation to PMEs, and a restructuring exercise.

His calm, measured approach preserved industrial harmony and ensured workers were treated with fairness and dignity throughout these transitions.

When Shell divested its Energy and Chemicals Park in 2024, Dr Balakrishnan stepped forward once again.

He engaged constructively with all parties to advocate for responsible employment outcomes and offered himself as adviser to the newly formed Aster Chemicals and Energy Union (ACEU) – doing so before the union was formally constituted, to ensure workers would have a collective voice from the outset.

Beyond crisis management, he has consistently supported union welfare initiatives, including fundraising efforts to assist lower-income members and their families.

As Attractions, Resorts and Entertainment Union’s (AREU) Chairman of the Council of Advisors, he has also facilitated constructive dialogues with management partners in the integrated resorts and attractions sector to address ground concerns collaboratively.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Balakrishnan has simultaneously worked to safeguard Singapore’s relevance and standing in an increasingly complex global environment – strengthening the conditions for trade, investment, and quality jobs that workers here depend on.

Reflecting on his journey, he said: “It has been a privilege of my political career to have worked so closely with so many unions. These leaders have been my real mentors, and I’ve learned so much from them on how to get things done, how to represent people effectively, honestly, candidly.

“In all my journeys around the world, what we have in Singapore is truly unique – a tripartite model based on trust, based on mutual commitment, based on the value of leaving no one behind. It is unique, it is precious, and it works. And we should celebrate that.”

“His commitment to workers goes beyond words”

NTUC President K Thanaletchimi paid tribute to his contributions, saying: “We are proud to honour Brother Vivian Balakrishnan as our top awardee this year. His commitment to workers goes beyond words, reflected in more than two decades of dedication alongside unions and tripartite partners to advance workers’ interests and welfare.

“Through integrity and quiet resolve, he has strengthened tripartite relations and made a meaningful difference to workers across sectors.”

She also extended congratulations to all 188 awardees of the May Day Awards 2026, commending their “courage, creativity and resilience in making workplaces and workers’ lives better”.

Among the recipients were 159 individuals – including union leaders, workers, and management partners – and 29 organisations recognised for their contributions to workers and the Labour Movement.

Read this exclusive interview with Dr Vivian Balakrishnan where he reflects on a quarter-century working alongside the Labour Movement.

More details on this year’s awardees can be found at the May Day Awards 2026 Citations Magazine.