Tripartite Workgroup Convenes First Meeting to Develop Recommendations for Review of Employment Act

The tripartite partners have formed a Tripartite Workgroup (TWG) to review the Employment Act (EA). The TWG is co-chaired by Mr Ng Chee Khern, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ms Cham Hui Fong, Deputy Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Mr Kuah Boon Wee, Vice President, Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), and comprises union, employer, and senior government representatives. Please see Annex for the composition of the TWG-EAR.

2            The EA is Singapore’s main labour law, which provides for the basic terms and working conditions for almost all employees (see more details on the EA at https://go.gov.sg/hqw0yx). Tripartite partners have regularly reviewed the EA over the years, to ensure that it strikes the right balance between protecting workers and preserving flexibility for businesses.

3            The current EA review is part of tripartite partners’ ongoing commitment to ensure that our labour compact remains fit-for-purpose. At the TWG’s first meeting on 4 August 2025, members agreed on the scope and focus areas of the TWG’s work. The TWG will study and develop recommendations to update the EA to account for the changing labour force profile, evolving forms of work, and challenging economic landscape. This includes ensuring adequate protections for different groups of workers, and streamlining the EA to reduce regulatory and compliance costs for businesses.

4            The TWG’s work will be guided by the following objectives:

(i)To safeguard basic employment standards;

(ii)To strike the right balance between business and labour interests while maintaining space for employers, employees, and unions to reach sustainable and mutually beneficial agreements; and

(iii)To preserve a well-functioning labour market as Singapore’s competitive advantage to ensure that we continue having a productive workforce and thriving businesses.

5            Mr Ng Chee Khern, Permanent Secretary, MOM said, “First enacted in 1968, the Employment Act forms the cornerstone of Singapore’s labour legislation, establishing trust between employers and workers. It is timely to review the EA to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose amidst major shifts in the labour environment such as our changing workforce profile and evolving economic landscape. The Workgroup will continue building on our strong foundation of tripartism to develop win-win outcomes that preserve Singapore’s competitiveness and protect the interests of both employers and workers.”

6            Ms Cham Hui Fong, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General said, "This review of the EA is necessary to update and strengthen protections for our workforce especially for Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs), given that the nature of work has changed over time. NTUC will continue to champion lower-wage workers and workmen as well as PMEs whose employment and work may be affected by socio-political, economic and technological factors. NTUC will work to ensure that the Act remains relevant and balanced for our workers, i.e., safeguarding workers’ basic employment standards, and supporting business sustainability. Through the review, we want to uphold the trust that underpins our tripartite model, and also achieve better wages, better work prospects and better welfare for our workers."

7            Mr Kuah Boon Wee, Vice President, SNEF said, “Workplace norms and worker expectations are changing amidst a challenging economic landscape and stagnating workforce growth. It is therefore important to review the EA, which has an impact on so many employers in Singapore, to make sure that it remains relevant. SNEF is committed to working closely with our tripartite partners – MOM and NTUC – to ensure that the Act continues to balance employers’ need for flexibility with safeguarding basic employment terms and working conditions for employees.”

8            The TWG will consult and engage stakeholders, including employers and employees, to inform its recommendations. The TWG expects to complete its work and submit its recommendations to the Government by 2H 2026. 

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Annex: Composition of Tripartite Workgroup on Employment Act Review (as of 4 August 2025)

Chairpersons

Members