SINGAPORE — A “true fighter” for Singapore’s workers, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew always had the welfare for workers at heart, be it when he represented them as a lawyer to seek better wages and working conditions, or later when he championed a strong relationship between the labour movement and the Government.

In a statement today (March 23), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) paid tribute to the former Minister Mentor’s support for Singapore’s unions.

“From the time he fought alongside the Postal and Telecommunications Uniformed Staff Union for better pay and terms, he has always had the welfare and interests of workers at heart and in mind. As the co-founder of the People’s Action Party (PAP), he forged a strong symbiotic relationship with the NTUC. As the first Prime Minister of Singapore, he championed a strong spirit of tripartism, bringing labour, management and government together,” said NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say and NTUC president Diana Chia in the statement.

In 1952, the Postal and Telecommunications Uniformed Staff Union had sought Mr Lee for help, as they were about to go on strike and needed advice and someone to draft their press statements and negotiate their settlements. Amongst them was Mr P Govindaswamy, who later contested in Anson under the PAP banner and remained the ward’s Member of Parliament until he died in 1978.

The strike earned Mr Lee and his party significant support from unionists.

Mr Lim and Ms Chia said: “Because of his care and concern for the people, countless workers have benefited from fair treatment, higher wages and better conditions at the workplace. It is because of him that we, as a people, can lay claim to better jobs, better lives and brighter futures ahead.”

Mr Lee’s selfless leadership and unwavering support to the unions and workers of Singapore, they said, is “immeasurable”. “We will always remember him,” they said.

Tributes and offers of condolences have also been streaming in from other organisations and associations here. Here's a look at what they said:

(Correction: An earlier version of this story reported that in 1982, the Postal and Telecommunications Uniformed Staff Union had sought Mr Lee for help to draft their press statements and negotiate their settlements. This is incorrect. It should be 1952. We are sorry for the error.)

Singapore National Employers Federation

Team Singapore

Business China

Singapore Council of Women's Organisations

Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations

Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura

Life Insurance Association Singapore

National Arts Council

Singapore Red Cross

Singapore Indian Development Association

Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore 

Young Sikh Association Singapore

The Young Sikh Association (Singapore), YSA, is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, and expresses its sincere condolences to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his family. It is indeed a sad day for Singapore. We have lost a great leader, a great mind and a great Singaporean.

Mr Lee has worked hard in creating a harmonious multi-racial and multi-religious society in Singapore. Despite being a minority within a minority, the Sikh community is an integral part of Singapore society simply because Mr Lee took great pains to ensure that all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion, are equal partners in Singapore’s growth and success.

Mr Lee touched the lives of all Singaporeans in a profound way. YSA has long been inspired by the visionary leadership displayed and achievements attained for our nation by Mr Lee and we will continue to help keep his legacy alive by promoting and working towards a Singapore that is united and resilient where there is respect for one another.