Singapore labour and climate groups to stage joint May Day rally at Hong Lim Park on 1 May
Workers Make Possible and SG Climate Rally will hold their first joint Labour Day rally on 1 May 2026, linking workers’ rights and climate justice under a shared call for systemic change.
- Labour and climate groups will hold a joint rally on 1 May at Hong Lim Park.
- Organisers link overwork, low wages, and climate crisis to profit-driven systems.
- Demands include higher wages, shorter hours, and stronger environmental protections.
Singapore workers’ rights group Workers Make Possible (WMP) and SG Climate Rally (SGCR) will hold their first joint rally on Labour Day, 1 May 2026, at Hong Lim Park from 3pm to 7pm.
The event marks a collaboration between labour and environmental advocates, bringing together shared concerns over economic and ecological pressures faced by workers.
The rally adopts the theme “Running out of time”, highlighting what organisers describe as the growing urgency of both labour exploitation and climate breakdown.
In a joint statement issued on 20 April 2026, both groups argued that workers and the environment are being “sacrificed for the pursuit of profit”.
They stated that Singapore ranks as the most fatigued and overworked country globally, with workers facing long hours, stagnant wages, and increasing retirement age expectations.
The statement also pointed to the absence of a recognised right to disconnect from work outside official hours.
“Financial security feels out of reach for most,” the groups said, citing rising living costs alongside limited wage growth.
Linking labour conditions to climate impact
Organisers drew a connection between labour issues and environmental challenges, arguing that responsibility for climate action is often shifted onto individuals.
Workers, they said, are encouraged to reduce personal carbon footprints while multinational corporations continue high-emission activities.
The statement criticised government subsidies for such corporations and highlighted investments in artificial intelligence-driven data centres that consume significant energy resources.
According to the groups, these developments illustrate structural inequalities in both economic and environmental policies.
Key demands from organisers
The rally will present a series of demands addressing both labour rights and climate action.
On labour issues, organisers are calling for higher basic wages to reduce reliance on overtime, as well as an eight-hour workday and a maximum five-day work week.
They are also advocating for a formal right to disconnect, ensuring workers are not required to respond outside working hours.
Additional proposals include at least 15 days of paid annual leave, basic paid sick leave without medical certification, and expanded dependent care leave.
Environmental demands include what organisers describe as “true decarbonisation”, with industries taking primary responsibility for emissions reduction.
They also called for the shutdown of heavily polluting sectors and stronger legal protections for forests and biodiversity.
Worker safety during extreme heat was highlighted, with demands for stop-work orders and cooling measures for all workers, including migrant labourers.
Other proposals include halting construction linked to environmentally harmful sand sourcing and contributing to international loss and damage funds.
Organisers further emphasised that overseas projects should respect the principle of free, prior and informed consent from local communities.
They also warned against “greenwashing”, stating that initiatives such as tree planting or green buildings should not obscure continued fossil fuel use.
Programme and participation
The rally will feature a range of performances, including dance acts, a theatrical skit, stand-up comedy, and a choir open to public participation.
Speeches will be delivered by individuals representing diverse experiences within Singapore society.
These include a food and beverage worker affected by a recent abrupt company closure, and a caregiver supporting five children while living in rental housing.
Young workers entering the workforce and representatives from climate organisations will also speak.
Topics are expected to include job insecurity, urban poverty, and the intersection between labour rights and environmental sustainability.
Organisers stated that these perspectives aim to illustrate how both crises stem from what they describe as an exploitative economic system.
Community involvement at record scale
The event will also host partner booths from more than 30 local ground-up community groups, the highest number featured at Hong Lim Park to date.
All booths will be open to attendees at no cost, encouraging broader engagement with social and environmental initiatives.
Organisers described the rally as both a platform for advocacy and a space for community-building.
Workers Make Possible, founded in 2021, focuses on raising awareness of labour issues through analysis, advocacy, and direct support for workers in crisis.
The group has organised annual Labour Day rallies at Hong Lim Park since 2023.
SG Climate Rally was established around the premise that climate change constitutes an emergency requiring collective action beyond individual efforts.
The group advocates for climate justice and a “just transition”, aiming to ensure that environmental policies are equitable and inclusive.
Organisers framed the rally as a moment for workers to reclaim control over their time and livelihoods.
They invited the public to attend the event on 1 May, positioning it as a collective response to interconnected social and environmental challenges.
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