PORTALBERITA.CO.ID - The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in Singapore is reporting a growing trend of professionals, managers, and executives (PMEs) seeking union assistance following job displacement. This surge comes as businesses restructure operations, often citing cost pressures and the integration of artificial intelligence technologies.
As reported by Businesstimes, white-collar workers are increasingly turning to trade unions and associations after experiencing terminations, indicating a shift in how professionals approach job insecurity. This heightened awareness is crucial as the job market evolves rapidly.
In 2025, the NTUC handled over 3,900 cases related to terminations and retrenchments specifically for PMEs, marking a five percent increase compared to the figures recorded in 2024. This data was compiled from various internal NTUC bodies, excluding the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).
Patrick Tay, the NTUC's assistant secretary-general, explained that a significant driver behind these layoffs involves corporate decisions to relocate operations overseas through offshoring. He observed that roles are being moved out of Singapore even when local PMEs possess the requisite skills and experience.
"We are also seeing businesses cite investments in AI as a factor for workforce restructuring. Some workers find themselves displaced because job roles are changing faster than they can adapt," said Patrick Tay.
While the overall unemployment rate remained low at 2 percent across 2024 and 2025, the total number of annual retrenchments in Singapore saw a steady climb, escalating from 6,440 in 2022 to 14,490 in 2025.
According to Patrick Tay, there remains significant concern that many PMEs are unaware they are eligible to join unions and receive institutional representation during layoff proceedings. PMEs in the professional services, finance, and infocomm technology sectors are identified as facing the highest exposure to generative AI disruption.
When IT professional Benjamin faced termination in February 2026 after 18 years of positive performance reviews, he utilized NTUC's PME department after his employer rejected his requests for enhanced severance. NTUC career coach Herjeet Singh mediated the situation, resulting in Benjamin receiving an amicable financial settlement totaling S$47,600.
Ray Chiang, a senior partner at Dentons Rodyk, clarified that while workers in unionised firms have legal rights to collective representation, those in non-unionised companies must rely on NTUC's ability to negotiate. "The benefits in the tripartite guidelines are followed by a vast majority of employers, but the guidelines are not strictly legally binding," stated Ray Chiang.
