GovTech to cut 93 roles in restructuring exercise; AUSBE provides support for affected officers

• GovTech will make 93 roles redundant in the near term as it restructures its workforce and evolves its operating model.

• AUSBE worked with GovTech to reduce the impact through retraining, apprenticeships and redeployment opportunities where possible.

• The union secured additional support beyond the Collective Agreement, including a three-month ex gratia payment and career transition assistance.

• Affected officers are receiving personalised career coaching, job matching and access to more than 300 tech-related vacancies through NTUC's e2i.

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) announced on 15 July 2026 that it is “evolving its operating model” and will gradually reduce its traditional project and vendor management roles.

The move is expected to affect some 7 to 9 per cent of GovTech roles and in the near term, result in 93 roles made redundant.

The Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE) was informed of GovTech’s workforce restructuring plans early. The union has since been working closely with the agency to support the affected officers.

“AUSBE’s priority is to safeguard the interests of all affected officers and members and ensure that they are treated fairly and with dignity during this workforce restructuring exercise,” said AUSBE General Secretary Gabriel Ng.

He added that the union remains committed to supporting its members every step of the way.

Affected GovTech officers can reach out to AUSBE at 6297 2097 or ausbe@ntuc.org.sg.

AUSBE strives to save jobs, help workers transition

Upon learning about GovTech’s plans, AUSBE stated that its priority has been to mitigate the excercise’s impact and support affected officers.

The union worked closely with the agency to identify alternatives to retrenchment, including retraining, apprenticeship and redeployment opportunities.

“This creates meaningful pathways for officers to reskill and transition into roles that support the agency’s future direction, helping to reduce the impact on officers,” said Mr Ng.

A support package beyond the Collective Agreement

Meanwhile, for the 93 workers who will be leaving the company, AUSBE successfully secured additional support measures beyond the provisions in the collective agreement (CA).

After close negotiations with GovTech, the union secured a three-month ex gratia payment, a pro-rated performance bonus, and six months of paid union membership for AUSBE members.

According to the union, the ex gratia payment aims to support workers in their outplacement and transition endeavours, particularly their reskilling efforts amid the broader restructuring and rapidly evolving tech sector.

These support efforts will be in addition to the terms outlined in the CA, which stipulates that affected officers should receive one month’s notice and one –month's pay for every year of service – capped at 25 years of service.

Leveraging the Labour Movement’s network

AUSBE also provided career transition support by connecting affected officers to the Labour Movement's employment network, including NTUC's e2i (Employment and Employability Institute).

Career coaches from NTUC's e2i were deployed on-site to provide personalised career coaching and job matching support for affected Singaporean and Permanent Resident (PR) officers.

Nearly 30 companies participated in the support initiative, offering more than 300 technology-related vacancies, including roles such as project and network systems engineers, as well as adjacent opportunities.

Additionally, officers were introduced to the e2i-IMDA Tech Elevation & Career Hub (TECH) Portal to explore suitable job openings and career resources. NTUC's e2i has also invited affected officers to a curated tech career fair on 4 August 2026.

Affected workers can also continue accessing career services through e2i's network of 28 Career Centres and touchpoints or book an appointment with an e2i Career Coach.

NTUC reiterates importance of early retrenchment notice

NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Choo reinforced the importance of early retrenchment notification, stating that early engagement between GovTech and AUSBE allowed the union to strengthen support for affected officers.

He said: “We encourage employers to engage our unions early, so that workers’ anxieties can be allayed as they receive timely support, a smoother transition and better employment outcomes.

“We encourage workers, including PMEs and public officers, to join their unions so that we can better support them at their workplaces.”

GovTech’s new operating model

A GovTech spokesperson said that the new operating model is expected to “deliver faster, more secure, and more responsive digital services for all Singaporeans.”

“We are moving from a one-off project-delivery model to a continuous product-ownership model. This means taking greater end-to-end responsibility for the digital products and platforms that power public services, while continuing to partner with the industry where vendors bring specialised expertise,” he said.

The spokesperson assured that the shift is driven by the growing complexity and scale of Government digital services, and not by artificial intelligence (AI) or cost-cutting intentions.

He added the move will strengthen the agency’s ability to achieve Singapore’s Smart Nation objectives.

Under the new model, GovTech will be hiring more software engineers, product managers, designers, data specialists, cybersecurity experts, and platform engineers.

The agency also expects more products to be built and operated in-house, thereby reducing the reliance on traditional project and vendor management roles.

GovTech Chief Executive Goh Wei Boon said that as digital services continue to grow in scale and complexity, GovTech must strengthen its ability to build, run and improve the products it owns.

He said: “Citizens and agencies expect digital services that are more secure, reliable and responsive to their needs. This transformation will help GovTech deliver such services.

“We will support every officer who has contributed to Singapore’s digital journey through this transition.”

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