May Day Rally 2026: Stronger tripartite collaboration key as Singapore tackles global instability and rising cost pressures

In the face of growing global instability and rising cost pressures, it is a stronger tripartite collaboration that will see Singapore workers and businesses through these challenges, said NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng during his May Day address on 1 May 2026 at Downtown East.

He called for union leaders to take collective action through the Tripartite Jobs Council (TJC) to ensure the Labour Movement continues to better lives and livelihoods of workers.

Rallying union leaders to stand united in supporting workers through the challenges ahead, he said: “Let us dream, dare, do and deliver once again, so that we will be able to celebrate May Day each year with conviction and the knowledge that we better lives and livelihoods, for our workers, for our families, for Singapore!”

Opportunities from crisis

Mr Ng shared that while the nation’s economy remains resilient, many workers are wary.

“The world around us has shifted and is more unstable than before, and our workers, blue and white collars, are feeling it,” said Mr Ng, noting that Singapore is also contending with structural shifts such as AI disruption and a super-aged society.

He also pointed to emerging challenges from worker segments that NTUC has engaged.

“Some young graduates are finding it harder to secure jobs after school. Retrenchments, especially among PMETs, have picked up, and in NTUC's survey, nearly 1 in 5 workers said job security was their top concern,” said Mr Ng.

AI, he added, will have a deep and lasting impact across all sectors, including traditionally secure professions such as healthcare, law and accountancy. It could also erode entry-level opportunities, making it harder for younger workers to build foundational skills.

Despite the challenges, Mr Ng emphasised that disruption also presents opportunity, drawing parallels with past crises that Singapore has successfully navigated through tripartite collaboration.

“The AI era demands the same, if not stronger, tripartite collaboration,” he said.

To respond effectively, Mr Ng outlined that tripartite partners, especially unions, must renew their commitment to workers, build on each own’s existing capabilities and take collective action.

All these then must be anchored by what he described as a fourth and most important principle: care.

Renewed commitment through Tripartite Jobs Council

A key strategy to tackling AI disruption is the TJC, which brings together the Government, employers and the Labour Movement to better support workers and enterprises.

The TJC was first announced by NTUC, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) on 29 April 2026.

“It is our way — Singapore’s way — to make a strong statement of commitment to our workers,” said Mr Ng said, adding that no single stakeholder can address the challenges alone.

The council aims to coordinate efforts across agencies and partners, scale support on the ground, and ensure workers are not left behind as industries transform.

Building capabilities for workers and businesses

Mr Ng said the council will build on existing strengths across tripartite partners.

On the Government’s side, initiatives by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) have established a strong skills and jobs ecosystem, which will be further strengthened through the formation of a new Skills and Workforce Development Agency.

Within NTUC, NTUC LearningHub has rolled out AI training pathways tailored to different sectors. From 1 May, union members will also receive funding support for AI tool subscriptions, enabling them to experiment with and apply AI at work.

However, Mr Ng acknowledged that many workers remain uncertain about how to become “AI-ready”, a gap the new council aims to address through more coordinated and tailored guidance.

On the business front, NTUC’s Company Training Committees (CTCs) have helped firms redesign jobs and adopt new technologies.

He cited the example of a local company, Certact Engineering, that transformed its operations and significantly expanded both revenue and workforce through such support.

Efforts are also being expanded to sectors such as healthcare and accountancy, with companies adopting AI tools to improve productivity and shift workers into higher-value roles.

The council will also bring together broader initiatives, including the Government’s Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package and support from SNEF, which provides advisory services to help companies navigate transformation.

In addition, job matching capabilities are expected to improve through closer integration of services from NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), WSG and SNEF, allowing for more personalised career guidance and transition support.

Collective action to drive impact

Mr Ng said the TJC represents a form of collective action to expand outreach, accelerate implementation and improve outcomes for both workers and businesses.

This includes supporting young graduates entering a more uncertain job market, helping mid-career workers transition into new roles, and ensuring rank-and-file workers have access to upskilling opportunities and wage growth.

For businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, the council aims to provide clearer pathways and support for transformation.

Putting care at the centre

Beyond policies and programmes, Mr Ng stressed that care must remain central to the Labour Movement’s efforts.

“Care is the why behind all that we do,” he said, warning that major disruptions could otherwise leave some workers behind and strain social cohesion.

To support workers amid cost pressures, NTUC and FairPrice Group will roll out $5 million in savings on essential items this May Day.

The Labour Movement will also commit about $37 million in 2026 to support workers and their families, alongside efforts to grow the NTUC Community Fund to $500 million over the next five years.

“Our care-in-action means being alongside workers in the AI age, and ensuring no worker journeys alone,” Mr Ng said.

Find out more about how the Labour Movement is celebrating May Day 2026.