Written Answer to PQ on Support for retrenched workers with shorter employment tenures

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1520 OF 2026 FOR THE SITTING ON 3 NOV 2026
QUESTION NO. 2367 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari

To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) what is the Ministry’s assessment of the adequacy of support given to retrenched workers with relatively shorter periods of service and staff on contracts or multiple continuous contracts; and (b) how shorter employment tenures and changing labour market conditions will affect the Ministry’s assessment.

Answer: 

The Government offers employment support to all retrenched workers based on their individual needs, regardless of their length of service or previous employment arrangement. Such support includes career guidance and coaching, job matching and advice on skills upgrading that is personalised to each individual. Most retrenched residents return to employment over time. In 4Q 2025, 68.9% of those retrenched a year earlier had secured new employment. We will continue to monitor employment outcomes and review our support schemes to ensure they remain responsive to changing labour market conditions and employment patterns.

2. Beyond Government support, many employers also provide retrenchment benefits, which are typically tied to an employee’s length of service in recognition of their contributions to the company. Under the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment, employees with at least two years of service are eligible for retrenchment benefits, and employers could provide an ex-gratia payment to those with shorter service. In 2025, around one in ten retrenched residents had been with their employer for less than two years. As part of the ongoing Employment Act review, the tripartite partners are exploring measures to strengthen support for retrenched workers and provide greater clarity to employers on their obligations. We will provide an update when the review is completed.