Labour Research Conference 2026

“Thriving in a Modern Work Environment” is a platform for insightful exchanges, open dialogues and candid discussions from union leaders, industry players, government agencies and academics. Participants will hear from the curated line-up on how we can balance between the needs and aspirations of workers, businesses and Singapore to ensure that all parties continue to thrive in a modern work environment.

Drawing on the rich blend of practitioner experiences and academic insights, the conference offers a distinctive lens through which to navigate the changing employment landscape while recognising the indispensable contributions of workers.

Central Committee of NTUC

Our vision

Creating a better and more meaningful Singapore where workers of all collars, ages, and nationalities can work, live, and play together in harmony.

Our mission

Helping workers achieve continual growth through gainful employment, protected interests, and support for families.

Our values

Caring

We are here to uplift lives of all workers, extending a listening ear and helping hand.
Trustworthy

We always act in the best interest of working people.
Passionate

We are passionate about our workers, and take action for change wholeheartedly.
Inclusive

We meet you where you are, at every stage of life, whoever you are.
Agile

We grow with the times, remaining relevant and accessible to everyone.

Mr Daniel Loh Joo Shia

Central Committee Member, NTUC; President, Air-Transport Executive Staff Union

Mr Daniel Loh endeavours to be an effective liaison to bolster the aspirations and address concerns of the current generation of workers. He received the Comrade of Labour Award in 2018 for his efforts in encouraging lifelong learning. As a union leader, he has been involved in several committees such as the NTUC Aviation and Aerospace Cluster, NTUC Workplace Safety Committee, NTUC Membership Committee and NTUC Young NTUC Committee.

Dr Samuel Chng

Research Assistant Professor, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design

Dr Samuel Chng is an applied social psychologist heading the Urban Psychology Lab in Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities in SUTD. He focuses on developing research-informed policies and initiatives to accelerate the transition towards low-carbon, resilient, healthy and equitable cities in Singapore and the wider Asian region. He actively collaborates with partners in government, industry, the Labour Movement and media to translate academic research into capacity building.

Panel Discussion 1

Bridging the Gap in the Pursuit of Sustainability

Mr John Ng Peng Wah

Chief Executive Officer, YTL PowerSeraya Pte. Limited

As CEO of the YTL PowerSeraya Group, Mr John Ng is responsible for augmenting the Group’s multi-utility services and steered the growth of the company to maintain its leading position as an integrated energy player in Singapore. An industry veteran with more than 35 years of commercial and operational experience, he is currently the Chairman of the PUB Board Committee for Risk Management, as well as a Board Member of PUB.

Professor Stephen Billett

Professor of Adult and Vocational Education, Griffith University, Australia

Dr Stephen Billett is Professor of Adult and Vocational Education, Griffith University, Brisbane, and an Australian Research Council Future Fellow. Since 1992, he has researched learning through and for work and published widely in fields of learning of occupations, workplace learning, work and conceptual accounts of learning for vocational purposes.

Professor Lim Siong Guan

Advisor, Honour Champions Group on Sustainability; Founding Chairman, Honour (Singapore)

Mr Lim Siong Guan is a Professor of Practice in the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He teaches leadership, change management and preparing for the future. Mr Lim served 37 years in the Singapore Civil Service in various roles including Head of Civil Service, and was the first Principal Private Secretary to then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Subsequently, he was appointed Chairman of the Economic Development Board and Group President of GIC.

[Moderator] Dr Gog Soon Joo

Chief Skills Officer, SkillsFuture Singapore

Dr Gog Soon Joo oversees the skills development system in Singapore, through working with tripartite partners in the identification and dissemination of the skills needs of Singapore’s economy. She works with global researchers, EdTech, HRTech and CareerTech partners in shaping the skills ecosystem.

Session 2:

Redesigning the Rhythm of Work

The workplace has evolved, and work arrangements have shifted away from the traditional on-site, fixed-time, and fixed workload structure. This sharing will explore how Flexible Work Arrangements can be successfully implemented to create win-win scenarios for both companies and employees.

Read the briefing paper here.

Ms Yeo Wan Ling

Assistant Secretary-General, NTUC; Director, U Women and Family / U Small and Medium Enterprises

Ms Yeo Wan Ling holds various roles representing workers and the Labour movement, including Co-Chairperson of the Tripartite Workgroup on Flexible Work Arrangements and serves as Chairman of both the Tripartite Cluster on Retail Trade and Food Services. Ms Yeo is a Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and Vice-Chairman of the North East Community Development Council.

Dr Serene Koh

Director (Singapore), Behavioural Insights Team

Dr Serene Koh oversees all of BIT’s domestic consultancy work and capability development in the region. She helped to set up the BIT Singapore office in 2016 and has led projects across various policy domains including water conservation, academic stress, and youth rehabilitation. Before BIT, Dr Koh was a researcher with the Ministry of Communications and Information where she led the department’s work in behavioural and social research.

Session 3:

Navigating the Dynamics of Worker Well-being

This session will share preliminary findings from research into a crucial area that impacts workforce productivity, job satisfaction, and overall success for employees, companies and society at large—worker well-being. By identifying key factors that impact the well-being of workers at the workplace, we can collectively enhance workers’ welfare holistically.

Associate Professor Renèe Tan

Assistant Executive Director and Director, Research, Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences

Associate Professor Renèe Tan leads IAL’s research efforts to inform policy and practice in Continuing Education and Training (CET). During her time at IAL, she has worked on facilitating the proliferation of learning innovations through INLEARN 2020, and has led the professionalisation and growth of the Training and Adult Education (TAE) community.

Panel Discussion 2

Redesigning the Rhythm of Work
Navigating the Dynamics of Worker Well-being

Mr Edy Tan Wei Hock

Chief Executive Officer, Chye Thiam Maintenance

Mr Edy Tan has led CTM's expansion from a cleaning specialist in the 1980s, to one of Singapore’s largest environmental services companies today. Believing that people are core to his industry’s growth, Mr Tan emphasises the development, upskilling and welfare of his employees. He collaborated with the Labour Movement to pioneer Flexible Work Arrangements in the cleaning sector, to much industry interest. Mr Tan was conferred the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat Public Service Medal in 2018.

Ms Pravita Nithiah Nandan

Executive Committee Member, National Transport Workers’ Union; Member, Tripartite Workgroup on Flexible Work Arrangements

Ms Pravita Nithiah Nandan, an operations specialist at SMRT and a union leader with the National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU) for seven years, empathises with the challenges of balancing work and caregiving duties. Drawing from her own journey and belief in supporting and uplifting women at every opportunity, she passionately advocates for the empowerment of women in the workforce, through her multiple appointments, including as Vice-President of NTWU’s Women’s Committee and as member of NTUC’s Women’s Committee.

[Moderator] Ms Jeanette Kwek

Head, Centre for Strategic Futures; Director, Futures Directorate, Strategy Group, Prime Minister’s Office

Ms Jeanette Kwek oversees the Centre for Strategic Futures' research agenda, its extensive international networking efforts, and work in growing foresight capabilities across the public service. She joined the civil service in 2005 and was previously the Deputy Director of the futures team in the Ministry of Defence.

NTUC is at the heart of the Labour Movement, which comprises 57 affiliated unions, 6 affiliated associations, a portfolio of businesses and six related organisations, as well as a growing ecosystem of professional associations and enterprise partners.

More than a trade union

Standing behind every worker

Empower workers and companies to grow

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