Lim is also the chairman of NTUC Enterprise Co-operative and deputy chairman of the Singapore Labour Foundation.
A member of the governing People's Action Party, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1980 to 2011, and served in the Cabinet from 2001 to 2011 as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.
He was formerly the Chairman of the People's Action Party (PAP), Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Deputy Chairman of the People's Association.