Navigating a World of Change: How Singapore’s Tripartism Provides a Way Forward

In a world filled with global instability and economic anxieties, many Singaporean workers worry about their jobs and the future. The rise of AI and technology has added to these fears, with people questioning if there is still a place for them. NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Choo addressed these concerns in a recent speech, highlighting how Singapore’s unique model of tripartism—the collaboration between the Government, employers, and unions—is Singapore’s “secret weapon” to pull together when the world is pulling apart.

Your Union’s Role, Bringing Your Voice to the Table

At the core of this tripartite effort are our unionists, who act as a voice for workers. When they go into tough negotiations, they don’t just bring data and figures. They bring the real-life stories and concerns of workers with them, bringing “the reality of the coffeeshop into the conference room”. They are the ones who can look a CEO in the eye and share the struggles of a family trying to keep up with bills.

Tripartism in action and a proven track record 

This trust has been forged particularly during crises. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, DBS Bank worked closely with the DBS Staff Union. Instead of implementing layoffs, the bank assured workers and sustained business continuity. They even hired more than 2,000 people, including 1,000 new roles for fresh graduates and mid-career professionals pivoting into technology. This spirit of “We before Me” is what allows us to face challenges with confidence.

This proactive approach has also been seen in action. The Union of Security Employees (USE), for instance, weighed in on Certis’s policy requiring frontline workers on medical leave to share their live location. Following their engagement, Certis agreed to stop the practice and brought in USE to strengthen communications and workplace practices.

The commitment to this partnership continues under the 4G leadership team led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The Labour Movement sees its duty as being the “workers’ keeper”. This means having the courage to tell the government when a policy will hurt workers on the ground. This true partnership is not defined by the absence of disagreement but by the strength to work through it to find the best outcome for all Singaporeans

A “Skills-First” Approach and the Way Forward

As we face the transformative impact of AI, the Labour Movement believes it is crucial to address the anxieties of workers like “Alex”, a man in his 50s who did everything right—taking courses and earning diplomas—but still felt like the “game is rigged”. To ensure hard work still counts, a new commitment is needed.

This commitment begins with a “skills-first” approach. In a world reshaped by AI, this is a promise that what you can do matters more than a piece of paper you hold. Your potential to learn is more valuable than your credentials. For employers, it means hiring, rewarding, and promoting based on what an individual can do and learn. For workers, it means continuously building new competencies and staying agile. The Labour Movement signalled its full commitment  to championing this approach.

Key Priorities Moving Forward

To manage the impact of AI and broader economic changes, Desmond Choo highlighted three key principles for technology adoption and two other areas of focus:

Principles for Adoption of New Technologies:

• Be Transparent: Tripartite partners must work together and be transparent in the transformation process, involving unions and workers to forge a transition pathway.
• Be Fair: Workers must be given a fair share of the gains from improved productivity. A world where only a select few benefit from economic transformation is not sustainable.
• Be Worker-Centric: We must adopt a just transition for Singapore and its workers, embracing a “We-first” mentality.

Supporting Youth and Managing Restructuring

Desmond Choo also highlighted two other key areas of focus. First, supporting youth and the future workforce. Between April and July 2025, NTUC has engaged 12,000 youths and heard their anxieties about skills gaps, weak hiring sentiments and the impact of AI.

NTUC Youth is helping jobseekers with skills and mentorship, while NTUC e2i expands targeted career fairs. Additionally, the NTUC has called for the expansion of programs like the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowances and Career Conversion Programmes to help young workers transition into new roles in AI and sustainability.

Second, managing economic restructuring. This must always prioritize workers’ welfare. Lessons from the past, such as the bus contracting model, show how engaging with unions can safeguard jobs during transformation. The Public Transport Tripartite Committee developed a “two-envelope” bidding system to ensure bus operators would commit to consulting unions and protecting drivers’ welfare.

The Path Forward

The new generation of leaders is committed to this partnership. Then-DPM Lawrence Wong declared in 2023 that “NTUC is the most important partner of the Government,” a statement that signaled the 4G leadership’s commitment. The NTUC sees its duty as being the “workers’ keeper”. This means there will be times when we disagree on the path forward. The NTUC will continue to be “unabashed in our feedback” because true partnership is about working through disagreements to find the best outcome for Singapore and Singaporeans.