~ The new Associate Researchers Circle (ARC) builds on the NTUC Labour Alliance co-laB (LAB) to identify young researchers to contribute to research on key worker and workplace issues ~
As artificial intelligence (AI) and other workforce trends reshape jobs and workplaces, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is strengthening its labour research capabilities in market intelligence and foresight grounded in Singapore’s economic and workforce context, to better anticipate how jobs, skills and industries will evolve. These insights will help NTUC identify emerging opportunities and risks earlier, shape its advocacy and interventions, including its efforts through the Tripartite Jobs Council to provide workers and companies with timely support for change.
Building on this momentum, NTUC is launching the Associate Researchers Circle @ Labour Alliance co-laB (ARC @ LAB) today to strengthen the pipeline of emerging labour researchers. NTUC previously launched LAB in 2024, bringing together labour experts, academics, practitioners, and researchers from renowned institutions and universities. Since then, the labour research community has grown to over 60 LAB members, including overseas labour experts from reputable universities overseas like Cornell University and Rutgers University. Collectively, LAB and ARC will contribute research papers and journal articles to expand and deepen the knowledge base for labour research in Singapore.
ARC @ LAB was officially launched at the 6th NTUC Labour Research Conference by Guest-of-Honour NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay, NTUC Director of Strategy (Designate) Jean See, and ARC members (Please see Annex A).
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “With artificial intelligence reshaping industries and jobs, NTUC is working to deepen our understanding of how these changes affect Singapore’s labour market and workforce. The fifth edition of the Singapore Labour Journal reflects NTUC’s continued commitment to strengthening labour research so that our advocacy and partnerships remain grounded in evidence and workers’ lived experiences. Through the Labour Alliance co-laB and Associate Researchers Circle, we are working closely with a trusted network of academics, research institutions, and tripartite partners, to translate research into practical insights that support workers.”
Themed “Today’s Hopes, Tomorrow’s Possibilities”, the Conference was held at Stephen Riady Auditorium @ NTUC Centre. Bringing together policymakers, academics, tripartite partners, union leaders and industry practitioners, the Conference examined key issues shaping the future of work and how workers can be supported through workplace and technological transitions. Discussions through keynote sessions and expert panels covered issues such as supporting a just transition for transport workers impacted by the rise of autonomous vehicles; and how organisations can build a future-ready workforce through human-centric transformations, skills-first strategies, job redesign, and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, to strengthen productivity while creating better outcomes for workers and businesses.
Strengthening the pipeline of future labour thought leaders
Nominated by LAB members, eight researchers will be inducted into ARC @ LAB to gain greater exposure to key labour issues and opportunities to contribute their expertise and insights to support NTUC’s advocacy for workers. They will bring fresh perspectives on the evolving needs of workers and contribute to discussions on policies and practices that support workers. These ARC members are from different academic backgrounds like digital culture and new media; data analytics; and ethics and consumer behaviour. Please see Annex A for the list of the ARC members. Successful researchers may subsequently be considered for appointment as LAB members and contribute research letters, articles and brief reports to the Singapore Labour Journal.
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay said, “Research and collaboration are important in helping us better understand the changing world of work and its impact on workers. The Associate Researchers Circle @ Labour Alliance co-laB is a key step in nurturing a pipeline of labour researchers and experts, while creating opportunities for them to contribute their insights to the Labour Movement in Singapore. This is also a way to strengthen Singapore’s leadership bench strength in the research industry with regards to the future of work.”
Dr Sarah Chan, a Research Fellow at Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, SUTD, said, “It is a privilege to be part of ARC’s inaugural cohort. What excites me most is the chance to bring research closer to workers’ everyday realities, and to turn behavioural insights into real-world change for workers. Through my work with NTUC Strategy, I’ve seen how working closely with the Labour Movement helps us ask better questions that are grounded in what workers actually face, and turn findings into action. Looking ahead, I hope to bring a psychological perspective to how the changing nature of work and workplaces is reshaping what good work means to people, and how it fits into the lives they want to lead.”
Commemorating five years of the Singapore Labour Journal (SGLJ)
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the SGLJ, a peer-reviewed journal that provides a platform for academics, policymakers, and practitioners to publish and advance research in the field of labour. This milestone volume is the largest to date, featuring 12 articles. Over the past five years, the Journal has collectively drawn over 30,000 views on World Scientific Publishing, with around 19,000 readers engaging with article abstracts and around 14,000 reading full articles, a meaningful readership for a specialised labour publication. It has proven itself as a platform where research ideas find their way into policy and public conversations.
1The latest edition of the SGLJ brings together perspectives on what workers value today, including fair work, job security to skills relevance, and flexible work arrangement. For example, the article "From Employers' Concern to Employee Action: A Self-Assessment Checklist for Flexible Work Arrangements" by Yuan Zhi Seah, Joyce Tan, Huay Ling Tay, and Hui Shan Loh developed a practical checklist that workers can use to strengthen their own request before submitting it. This was based on their research, including asking 367 employers what they actually weigh when someone asks for flexi-work, and the research team found it comes down to whether the job can still get done (92.5%), whether productivity holds up (89.7%), and the reason for asking (74.5%).
Together, they add to ongoing discussions on how Singapore can respond to shifts in technology, workplaces and workforce expectations.
To view the journal, please visit https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/resource-hub/singapore-labour-journal
