Labour Movement MPs pledge comprehensive worker support in Parliament

Seven Labour Members of Parliament – NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, Deputy Secretaries-General Desmond Tan and Desmond Choo, and Assistant Secretaries-General Patrick Tay, Melvin Yong and Yeo Wan Ling, alongside NTUC’s e2i Stakeholder Management Director Wan Rizal – outlined comprehensive strategies to support workers at the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address debate, from 22 to 26 September 2025.

This follows Singapore’s 15th Parliament opening on 5 September 2025, where President Tharman Shanmugaratnam outlined strategic priorities for navigating global challenges.

On the third day of the debate, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered a comprehensive vision for building a more inclusive society.

Central to both addresses was the critical role of workers in Singapore’s continued success, with the Labour Members of Parliament representing NTUC affirming their commitment to champion worker interests across various sectors and life stages.

PM Wong’s vision: Building Singapore “For You and With You”

In his address to Parliament, Mr Wong outlined his vision for Singapore’s future beyond SG60. He focused on building a more inclusive society that maintains social mobility, strengthens safety nets, and deepens solidarity among Singaporeans.

Mr Wong pledged to all Singaporeans, emphasising his commitment to youth: “We will build Singapore with you in mind. We will strive to create more fulfilling lives for you, and not just for a few among you, but for all of you.

He reassured them: “We will not let you down. We are building Singapore for you and with you.”

Mr Wong outlined three key goals from the Forward Singapore initiative: keeping social mobility alive, strengthening safety nets, and deepening solidarity to remain One United People.

“Companies may fail, jobs may disappear. But every worker matters, every citizen matters, and no one will be left behind,” Mr Wong said, addressing concerns about economic disruption in an era of rapid technological change.

Labour Movement’s comprehensive response

AI readiness and caregiving support

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng reinforced the Government’s AI strategy: “NTUC will strive together with our tripartite partners to see how we can leverage AI and technologies to uplift businesses and upskill workers so that the transition to a new economy is smooth, fair, and just, ensuring win-win outcomes.”

He proposed a National AI Adoption and Training Initiative, tentatively called “AI-Ready SG,” to serve as a one-stop platform integrating existing resources.

“This is why we must do more to equip our workers to meet AI disruption head on, bring the right tools and know-how to businesses and workers, so they can take proactive steps to seize AI-driven opportunities,” Mr Ng explained.

He also reminded employers that they can tap on NTUC’s Company Training Committees to kickstart their AI journey.

On caregiving challenges, Mr Ng emphasised the reality many workers face.

“Balancing a job while tending to the needs of a sick elderly parent, a child or an adult with special needs, can be exhausting. It is not just about managing time. It is about the stress, the sleepless nights, and the emotional weight that caregivers carry every single day,” he said.

Mr Ng shared the story of Mr Goh, a freelancer caring for four children, including two with special needs, who worries about both current financial pressures and future care arrangements.

Mr Ng outlined three key areas for strengthening caregiver support: helping caregivers stay at work through expanded flexible work arrangements; helping those who left work return through enhanced programmes; and strengthening the ecosystem of care.

“Many of us are caregivers or will be at some point. So let us take bold steps to ensure that Singaporeans have the support they need to care for their loved ones, while staying resilient at work and at home,” he said.

Supporting senior workers through demographic transition

NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan outlined an innovative perspective on Singapore’s challenges.

“Singapore today is being shaped by two major shifts – Artificial Intelligence and Ageing Individuals. One generates rapid knowledge; the other brings accumulated wisdom.

“The real opportunity lies in bringing these two AIs together to redefine the future of Singapore’s workforce,” he said.

On supporting older workers, Mr Tan said: “We are looking at how to support our senior workers in the age of AI – ensuring they can upskill and reskill, stay relevant and productive, and have the assurance to continue contributing to the economy if they choose.”

As co-chair of the Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment, he shared that work is already underway, from job redesign to career planning and reskilling, to uplift and protect seniors in the workplace.

Tripartism as a competitive advantage

NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Choo described tripartism as Singapore’s “secret weapon in turbulent times,” emphasising the unique role of union leaders in bridging perspectives.

“When they walk into those tough negotiations, they don’t just bring charts and figures. They bring the stories of our people with them.

“They can look a CEO in the eye and say, ‘Let me tell you about the family that is struggling to keep up with their bills.’ They bring the reality of the coffeeshop into the conference room,” Mr Choo said of union leaders.

He also affirmed NTUC’s commitment to constructive engagement: “True partnership is not defined by the absence of disagreement, but by the strength to work through it to find the best outcome for Singapore and Singaporeans.”

Skills-first approach and PME support

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay advocated for a comprehensive “Skills-First” approach to workforce development, emphasising three priorities: Worker-Led Transition, Singaporean-Led Core, and Skills-Led Economy.

“By prioritising the ‘3S’ – Supporting Singaporeans, a Singaporean Core, and a Skills-First Singapore, we honour workers and commit to helping them earn a better living and live a better life,” Mr Tay stated.

He spoke of taking a skills-first approach to hiring, which means looking beyond just degrees or diplomas and valuing the real skills people bring, be it from school, work, or even hobbies.

This way, everyone, whether young or old, gets a fair shot at building a meaningful career, he said.

Mr Tay also called for the formation of a Tripartite Workgroup on Safeguarding Workers in the Age of AI to encourage companies to adopt Just Transition practices and prevent algorithmic discrimination.

Progressive Wage Model evolution

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Melvin Yong highlighted the success of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), noting that “between 2019 and 2024, the real wages of workers at the 20^th percentile grew by 5.9 per cent – outpacing the 3.6 per cent growth for the median worker.”

However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges.

“Income at the 20^th percentile is about 55 per cent of median income – short of the OECD benchmark of two-thirds,” he said.

To close this gap, Mr Yong called for a refreshed Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers to chart the next bound of progress.

He also noted that while lower-wage workers have seen pay rise faster than the median, NTUC believes more can be done.

That’s why NTUC is pushing to grow the PWM, focusing more on productivity and expanding it to more sectors.

Platform and transport workers

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Yeo Wan Ling addressed concerns of platform and transport workers facing technological transitions.

“Our platform workers deserve to earn fair pay so they can, by working hard, earn a decent living for themselves and their families,” she said, calling for progress in recognising platform workers’ contributions.

Ms Yeo highlighted that NTUC and its Platform Worker Associations are working closely with the Government to address platform workers’ concerns.

NTUC’s priority is clear: ensuring platform workers have jobs today, and the support to transition into jobs of tomorrow.

On public transport workers facing the Autonomous Vehicles rollout, Ms Yeo said: “Our drivers must be assured of a just future, that there will be jobs for them, and they will be given the support and time they need to transition to these jobs.”

Supporting lower-wage workers and mental health

NTUC’s e2i Stakeholder Management Director Wan Rizal underscored the Labour Movement’s vital role in uplifting lower-wage workers, particularly those under the PWM.

Mr Rizal called for enhanced funding for PWM and the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme, which has disbursed over $2.7 billion in 2022 and 2023, benefiting more than 520,000 employees.

He urged the Government to extend these enhancements until Singapore reaches the OECD benchmark, and to raise the wage ceiling beyond $3,000 to keep PWM workers covered as wages rise.

On upskilling, Mr Rizal advocated for AI training to be extended to PWM workers, noting that NTUC LearningHub already offers an AI learning ecosystem across different proficiency levels.

Beyond employment issues, he championed mental health support across all life stages, citing statistics that nearly 47 per cent of workers report feeling exhausted after work, with mental health conditions costing an estimated $15.7 billion annually.

He called for stronger workplace mental well-being initiatives and inclusive return-to-work practices for those recovering from mental health challenges.

“Let us show that in Singapore, progress is not for the few, but for all,” he concluded.

A shared commitment to Singapore’s future

The parliamentary debate demonstrated a unified commitment between the Government and Labour Movement to support workers through Singapore’s transformation.

The Prime Minister outlined plans for greater citizen engagement: “We don’t just want to do things for Singaporeans. We also want to do things with Singaporeans.”

He announced the launch of a second round of youth panels next year, along with new opportunities for deeper conversations through citizens’ panels.

The Labour MPs presented specific proposals including tripartite workgroups on AI safeguarding and lower-wage workers, expansion of flexible work arrangements, and enhanced support for various worker segments, ranging from platform workers to seniors.

Mr Wong indicated that the Government would study all feedback and suggestions raised by Members during the debate.

In his concluding remarks, he issued a rallying call to all Singaporeans: “Be bold in chasing your dreams. Seize the opportunities before you. There will be setbacks along the way, but you will never face them alone.

“True fulfilment comes from creating a society where every Singaporean can stand tall and we can all move forward as one people,” Mr Wong said.