Parliament Debated and Supported Motion Filed by Ng Chee Meng On An AI Transition with No Jobless Growth

~ Members across the House agreed that AI adoption by enterprises should be supported to benefit workers with good jobs and better career pathways ~

Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Kayu SMC, Mr Ng Chee Meng, who is also Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), moved a Parliamentary Motion, titled "An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transition with No Jobless Growth"¹, for the May Sitting of Parliament on 5 and 6 May 2026.

Parliament Signals Broad Support for Worker‑Centric AI Growth

The Motion was debated and supported by Members from both sides of the House, who recognised the transformative potential of AI and expressed support for the collective responsibility to manage the impact of AI on workers and enterprises, ensuring that workers remain at the centre of Singapore’s AI-enabled growth.

The debate underscored a shared recognition that while AI can drive productivity and economic progress, such gains must be translated into better jobs, stronger career pathways, and greater security and confidence for workers navigating change. Members also acknowledged that AI adoption is already changing work processes and skills requirements, and that both enterprises and workers must seize opportunities and stay competitive.

Members across the House also further expressed alignment on the need for early and coordinated action, with the Government affirming its commitment to shape the direction of AI growth deliberately, This includes setting norms and expectations to ensure that AI‑driven growth does not result in jobless outcomes, through close tripartite collaboration, concrete policies, and expanded support for worker and enterprise.

Reflecting the consensus in the House, Mr Ng appreciated Members’ support and suggestions for a deliberate approach to guide Singapore’s AI transition with no jobless growth and noted their alignment with the four moves set out in the Motion. The four moves are: build trusted market intelligence and foresight; enable enterprises to transform with AI; enable workers to seize new opportunities; and enable displaced workers to bounce back.

Turning Parliamentary Consensus into Action for Workers

As AI reshapes how work is organised and performed, Mr Ng reaffirmed NTUC’s steadfast commitment to championing a fair and resilient transition grounded in real outcomes for workers. Mr Ng reiterated that NTUC will continue to take concrete actions to support workers across different collars and ages, including PMEs, youths, senior workers, gig and platform workers, and caregivers, who may be impacted by technology disruption or juggling different responsibilities and needs across life stages. Referencing the Motion, he stressed that AI‑enabled growth must be firmly anchored in fairness, resilience and opportunity for all.

Mr Ng added that enterprise and workforce transformation must move together. In this regard, he shared NTUC’s ongoing initiatives that support these efforts, including NTUC’s Labour Alliance co-laB (LAB), the Company Training Committee initiative, and the role of the new Tripartite Jobs Council in supporting AI transformation.

Tripartism as Singapore’s Anchor for an AI Transition with No Jobless Growth

Building on the direction set out in Parliament, Mr Ng reinforced Singapore’s unique tripartism model — bringing together the Government, unions and employers — as a key strength in navigating complex transitions, such as the AI-driven transformation of work. Through sustained tripartite collaboration, partners work together, even amid differences, to discuss, align and achieve outcomes that are in the interests of both workers’ livelihoods and Singapore’s long‑term economic development.

Mr Ng added that NTUC will continue to work closely with tripartite partners, including through the Tripartite Jobs Council, to scale current capabilities, speed up implementation, and amplify reach so that workers can benefit from the AI transition, with good jobs, better prospects, and the assurance that no worker is left alone to navigate change.

The Parliamentary debate on the Motion also sent a clear signal to workers — that Singapore’s Parliament stands with them and that no worker should have to navigate the AI transition alone.

For more information, refer to the closing speech, checked against delivery, by Mr Ng Chee Meng.