The Business Times
Low Youjin

Low Youjin

CORRESPONDENT

Low Youjin is a correspondent at The Business Times where he covers Singapore macroeconomics, labour, and manpower policies.

emailyjlow@sph.com.sg
The new One Pass (AI and Tech) work permit will replace the existing Tech.Pass scheme.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Budget 2026: AI-focused One Pass to lure top tech talent

One Pass (AI and Tech) applicants may qualify using a mix of cash and stock-based compensation

Twelve Cupcakes is a recent example of an employer that did not give workers or their unions advance notice of retrenchment.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Mandatory early layoff alerts may hasten layoffs, impede talks: Tan See Leng

A review of the retrenchment notification framework is underway

As not everyone has the appetite for investment risk, the new CPF life-cycle investment scheme will be voluntary, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Budget 2026: New CPF life-cycle investment scheme likely to appoint only two to three fund managers to keep fees low

Simplicity and cost are two important aspects of the voluntary scheme, says MOM

the electronics sector continued to perform in February, with growth supported by faster expansions in new orders, new exports, factory output, and employment.

Singapore PMI edges up to 50.6 in February, but Gulf conflict fuels oil uncertainty

The Purchasing Managers’ Index for the electronics sector grows by 0.2 point to 51.3

The GRIT scheme was designed to “improve the employability of graduates who needed more help to find a permanent job, amidst uncertain hiring sentiments last year compared to the exceptionally tight labour market in previous years”, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng.

GRIT applications fall 90% since launch as more graduates secure full-time jobs

Number of filled traineeship positions rises to nearly 400 out of 800 available vacancies: Tan See Leng

Generic picture of commercial buildings at raffles place.

Economists raise Singapore’s 2026 growth forecast to 3.6%, majority see MAS holding in April

Headline inflation is projected at 1.5%

NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Choo cautioned that replacing juniors with AI could weaken Singapore’s future talent pipeline.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Budget 2026: Singapore risks ‘missing middle’ as AI squeezes out junior roles, warns Desmond Choo

Calls to tax wealth more heavily also come up on the second day of debate on the Budget

Of the 31 MPs who spoke over seven hours on Feb 24, several highlighted barriers to AI adoption and proposed measures to ease the transition.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

AI adoption, S$15.1 billion surplus dominate first day of Budget debate

Some MPs call for CDC Vouchers scheme to be refined into a recurring one to better reflect household needs

Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh warned that the government should be “conscious of the public cynicism and detachment” that grows when Singaporeans cannot see a clear accounting of how public funds are being used and what results have been achieved.
BUDGET 2026

WP chief Pritam Singh calls for public ‘report cards’ on major spending, questions ministerial bonus metrics

He says publicly reporting outcomes would strengthen transparency and enable MPs to better scrutinise government spending

Food inflation held steady at 1.2% as the prices of non-cooked food and food services rose at similar rates in January and December.

Singapore core inflation eases to 1% in January, better than expected

Headline inflation up at 1.4% from 1.2% in December, driven by higher accommodation costs

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