SINGAPORE may be affected by disruptions and global uncertainty, but tripartism and trust will help the country set a clear course forward, said Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng in his May Day message on Saturday (Apr 27).

Industrial relations in many countries have become more adversarial, with poorer outcomes for workers, employers and society, he noted. Singapore must continue to sustain tripartism as its competitive advantage.

“The pace of change in the economy is accelerating, and we know that more workers will likely be thrown curveballs,” said Dr Tan. But the government will support workers who are involuntarily displaced, with a new support scheme being announced later this year.

This was among the government efforts that Dr Tan highlighted in his message, with schemes to empower workers, support seniors and uplift the vulnerable.

First, he stressed the need for workforce transformation.

“Employers who invest in the career health of their workers can better attract and retain talent,” Dr Tan noted. The enhanced Career Conversion Programme gives employers more salary support to hire mid-career workers and upskill existing employees.

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The new Overseas Markets Immersion Programme also provides financial support to employers to send local employees abroad for market exposure and reskilling.

Workers themselves can tap the CareersFinder tool on Workforce Singapore’s MyCareersFuture jobs portal, for personalised jobs and skills recommendations.

Upholding fair and merit-based workplace practices is another key priority, added Dr Tan. This includes workplace fairness legislation being introduced later this year, and new tripartite guidelines on how employers should consider and respond to flexible work arrangement requests.

Second, for senior workers, the tripartite partners will step up support for retirement adequacy. Dr Tan noted that Budget 2024 enhanced schemes such as the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme and the Silver Support Scheme.

To empower senior workers to continue working if they wish, Singapore’s retirement and re-employment ages will progressively reach 65 and 70, respectively, by 2030.

Third, for vulnerable workers, the Progressive Wage Model has been expanded, benefitting up to nine in 10 lower-wage workers.

Protections for platform workers will also be legislated and implemented later this year in a “landmark move” in employment legislation, he added.

“As a small and open economy, we will be affected by disruptions in an uncertain global environment, but we are bolstered by the trust and confidence we have in one another,” concluded Dr Tan.

“Let us prepare our workers to be ready for jobs of the future, and promote fair, progressive and safe workplaces that benefit both workers and employers.”