Acting Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said that we need to appreciate the work of those who keep Singapore running even on public holidays.
He said this on Thursday as he visited about 100 workers at the Port and Maritime industry who continued to work to keep the port running throughout the Chinese New Year long weekend.
He went there and thanked them as well as handed out mandarin oranges and hongbao. He also tossed yu sheng with them on the first day of the Chinese New Year.
"Many of our workers continue to work during festive seasons to keep Singapore humming, and also to keep us safe and secure. So it's very important to come and appreciate the work that they're doing," said Mr Teo, who is Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister.
"I myself have worked on a number of public holidays. We always appreciate the small gestures that Singaporeans show to us."
DPM Teo went around and visited several workers from essential services this year as PM Lee who usually does it is still resting and recovering from his prostate cancer surgery.
During his visit, DPM Teo also commented how there have been great productivity shifts in the maritime sector which have helped to reduce manpower needs and improve management. He himself used to be a rear-admiral and he knows quite well the systems which were in place in the 80s and 90s.
"We have higher productivity, better career opportunities for the officers, as well as enhanced safety and operational effectiveness of the systems and our port."
He also noted that productivity will continue to be a main focus for Singapore in the coming years.
"Higher productivity means we can do more with the workers that we have, and we need to depend less on lower-skilled foreign workers who come to Singapore."