Unity and employee assist important as Singapore navigates international uncertainty

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President Tharman Shanmugaratnam positioned employees on the centre of Singapore’s response to financial disruption and international uncertainty in his tackle on 5 September 2025 on the opening of the 15^th Parliament.

He outlined Singapore’s strategic priorities for navigating an more and more turbulent international panorama.

Mr Tharman described the present period as “a critical juncture” marked by basic shifts within the international order, with the rivalry between America and China set to form the strategic surroundings for many years to come back.

His tackle emphasised Singapore’s resilience will depend on empowering each employee to adapt and thrive.

Preparing employees for financial transformation

The President pressured that Singapore should refresh its financial methods to stay aggressive however warned that “economic change is disorienting” for employees.

“Jobs and skills will keep evolving, faster than before. Old industries will fade, and new ones will emerge. Skills that are in demand today may become obsolete tomorrow,” he mentioned.

However, he emphasised that Singapore might put together employees for this transition: “We can not maintain again this tide of change. But we are able to put together ourselves – individually and collectively – to navigate it with confidence.

“As the economy transforms, we will empower workers with the skills they need to adapt and seize new opportunities.”

Harnessing AI whereas supporting employees

Mr Tharman highlighted synthetic intelligence (AI) as essential for Singapore’s financial future, noting that tripartism offers the nation an edge in deploying new applied sciences whereas managing workforce disruptions.

“Most firms know of AI, but few have embarked on serious transformation. Our task is to make it practical for every enterprise to harness AI, while stepping up the reskilling and upskilling of every segment of our workforce,” he mentioned.

The President emphasised that AI ought to complement quite than exchange employees.

“AI can be used both to raise efficiency and to complement human abilities, so that the gains are shared broadly and we involve all Singaporeans in building new sources of competitiveness.”

Strengthening assurance for all employees

Mr Tharman additionally highlighted enhanced initiatives to offer stronger employee assist, together with the Jobseeker Support Scheme for displaced employees and the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme for mid-career employees looking for to improve and pivot.

“These efforts reflect our conviction that Singaporeans should never face uncertainty on their own,” he mentioned, including that “no one will have to walk the journey alone.”

Mr Tharman additionally acknowledged speedy price of residing pressures going through Singaporeans.

“Rising costs – driven by global conflicts, tariffs and supply chain disruptions – weigh heavily on households. We understand these anxieties. That is why we will continue to cushion these burdens and ensure that every citizen has access to life’s essentials,” he mentioned.

Special consideration shall be given to susceptible teams, with the Government dedicated to uplifting lower-income households and strengthening assist for Persons with Disabilities, together with equipping them with additional training and coaching and serving to them make smoother transitions from faculty to work.

For Singaporeans at totally different life phases, Mr Tharman outlined complete assist:

For youth: The Government will put together younger folks for a quickly altering future by serving to them safe good jobs, easing their anxieties about profession prospects, and equipping them with the abilities wanted to thrive in an evolving economic system.

For households: Enhanced assist shall be supplied for caregivers by extra versatile work preparations and a stronger ecosystem of care locally.

For seniors: The Government will encourage and assist those that want to proceed working so their expertise and knowledge can profit others, whereas serving to these planning retirement to construct enough monetary safety for his or her golden years.

Recognising all types of work

Mr Tharman urged a basic shift in how society values totally different professions, pointing to Singapore’s training system as already reflecting this inclusive method by Work-Study Programmes in polytechnics and ITEs that mix educational studying with sensible expertise.

“This requires us to problem deep-seated assumptions about what constitutes helpful work, and who we take into account to be professionals.

“Progress means recognising the value in every job – in the trades, crafts, and services, no less than in offices and boardrooms – and ensuring that everyone who contributes to society earns respect, and can build a good life,” he mentioned.

Preventing wealth entrenchment

Meanwhile, the President warned in opposition to permitting inequality to turn into entrenched: “As societies mature, wealth can entrench, and inequality can turn into self-perpetuating.

“We see this around the world. Privilege is passed down, while disadvantage becomes harder to escape. We cannot allow this trend to be ingrained in Singapore.”

He reaffirmed the nation’s dedication to social mobility: “Everyone must have the chance to move up the escalator of skills, confidence, and a better life. Every Singaporean must be given the opportunity to develop themselves to their fullest potential.”

Building unity by shared goal

Mr Tharman referred to as for nurturing a “We First” society, emphasising that “Singapore can solely stand tall if we act as one folks. But unity will not be mustered by perception alone.

“All of us must, through our everyday deeds and actions, put the collective before self: put ‘we’ before ‘me.’”

He pressured the significance of safeguarding racial and spiritual concord: “We ought to resist any temptation to make use of race or faith for political achieve, or to view nationwide points by such lenses.

“We know too well, including from our own history, the dangerous divisions and lasting scars that result from yielding to these temptations.”

Upholding belief in governance

Mr Tharman famous that whereas public belief in establishments is eroding globally, Singapore has maintained stability by a distinct method: “We have valued stewardship over expediency, enduring duty over transient achieve.

“And we have been able to do so because we have built trust – both between Government and the people, and amongst citizens themselves.”

Labour Movement illustration in Parliament

Among the Members of Parliament sworn in for the fifteenth Parliament, seven signify the Labour Movement, making certain continued advocacy for employees’ pursuits within the legislative course of.

The Labour MPs embrace NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and Deputy Secretaries-General Desmond Tan and Desmond Choo.

Assistant Secretaries-General Patrick Tay, Melvin Yong and Yeo Wan Ling may also proceed their parliamentary duties alongside their Labour Movement roles.

NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) Stakeholder Management Director Wan Rizal completes the Labour Movement’s parliamentary illustration. Mr Rizal joined NTUC on 18 August 2025.

The President concluded with a name for unity as Singapore writes its subsequent chapter: “Let us keep agency in our resolve, but open to vary; assured in our future, but humble about our place on this planet; pleased with our range, but united as one folks.

“This is how we will build a better Singapore – not just for ourselves, but for our children and generations to come.”