Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Happy 61st National Day!
We celebrate National Day this year amidst a significant period of change for Singapore. As technological change, demographic shifts and geopolitical uncertainties reshape the economy and workforce, the ability of our workers and businesses to adapt and transform will be critical to our nation’s future.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has emphasised jobs and workforce transformation as national priorities. As Singapore navigates economic changes and creates new opportunities, it is essential that workers’ interests continue to be represented and advanced.
As I rejoin Cabinet, I will do my best to represent the Labour Movement in Singapore’s unique tripartite partnership. NTUC is a trusted partner, working closely with Government and employers to support workers through change. It is in this spirit, and with the trust you have placed in me that I take on this responsibility with humility and determination to serve you.
Preparing Workers for the Age of AI
Around the world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, reshaping jobs, and redefining economies. While there are opportunities and challenges ahead, workers and businesses will need to adapt to remain competitive and resilient.
Throughout Singapore's history, workers have adapted to industrialisation, computerisation, economic restructuring and digitalisation. Today, as AI transforms the way we work and live, NTUC will continue to journey alongside our workers of all collars, just like we have done before. We will ensure that they continue to progress, helping them seize new opportunities and secure better wages, better welfare and better work prospects.
Through NTUC’s AI-Ready SG initiative (AI-Ready SG), we are helping our working population, especially our Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs), gain confidence and practical skills to use AI, while supporting businesses to redesign jobs and transform responsibly. In the first half of 2026 alone, NTUC LearningHub has offered over 58,000 training places. Our goal is for every worker — regardless of collar, age, or career stage — to be able to benefit from AI-enabled growth.
To further encourage skills development, the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) has been enhanced to help union members defray subscription costs for AI tools. This will further strengthen their ability to apply AI meaningfully at work and improve their employability.
Supporting Workforce Transformation
NTUC is also supporting business and workforce transformation through the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) initiative. To date, more than 3,800 CTCs have been formed, benefitting over 300,000 workers. Through the Government-supported CTC Grant, companies have implemented over 1,000 transformation projects, benefitting over 15,000 workers with wage increases, career development plans and skills allowances.
As AI adoption accelerates, AI-related projects are making up a growing share of CTC Grant projects in 2026. About 31% of projects supported this year to date are AI-related, compared with about 17% for the whole of 2025, reflecting growing demand for AI adoption and transformation among companies.
Strengthening Our Tripartite Response to AI-led Transition
The growing momentum behind AI adoption and workforce transformation reinforces an important point: preparing our working population for the future is a shared responsibility. Lasting progress can only be achieved when unions, employers and Government coordinate efforts together to anticipate change, respond early and ensure that workers benefit from transformation.
Tripartism, which has guided Singapore through past disruptions and periods of economic change, continues to provide a strong foundation. That is why NTUC, together with the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore National Employers Federation and partners, has established the Tripartite Jobs Council.
The Tripartite Jobs Council reflects one of Singapore's enduring strengths — NTUC and the unions, employers and Government coming together to anticipate challenges and act early. By bringing together the capabilities of tripartite partners, the council will strengthen workers' AI readiness, support career transitions, connect workers to new job opportunities and help businesses transform and remain competitive. This is how we ensure that they remain at the centre of economic transformation.
Continuing Our Commitment to Workers and their Families
The Labour Movement’s commitment extends beyond the workplace. Through our Care programmes and initiatives like the NTUC Community Fund, we continue to support workers and their families, ensuring that those in need receive practical assistance and that every child and young person has a fair opportunity to succeed.
Our nation’s story has always been one of collective effort. The age of AI will be no different. By embracing innovation and standing together in solidarity, we can build a better future together.
Our promise remains unchanged: NTUC will continue journeying alongside workers of all collars, helping them navigate uncertainty and seize opportunities with confidence. We will continue working closely with our tripartite partners to advance workers’ interests, while ensuring that the voice of our working population remains represented at the central level of decision-making. Together, we will improve lives and livelihoods and secure better wages, better welfare and better work prospects for all workers.
On behalf of the Labour Movement, Majulah Singapura! I wish everyone a Happy National Day!
Ng Chee Meng
