DPM Gan Kim Yong at the SNEF45 Employers' Summit

President of Singapore National Employers Federation, Mr Tan Hee Teck
Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng
NTUC President Ms Thanaletchimi
NTUC Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng
Our Tripartite Partners
Brothers and Sisters

Introduction

Good morning to all of you. Thank you first for inviting me to join you at the Employers’ Summit organised in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF).

Over the past 45 years, SNEF has been a steady partner in Singapore’s progress – safeguarding industrial peace, amplifying employers’ voices, and advancing progressive employment practices.

Today, SNEF has a network of over 3,900 corporate members.

This is close to a fivefold increase compared to the initial years.

It reflects the trust employers have in SNEF’s leadership and ability to help businesses build productive, fair and inclusive workplaces.

I last attended SNEF’s 30th Anniversary Summit in 2010, while I was the Manpower Minister then. 15 years on, the world has changed dramatically – technology is reshaping industries; supply chains are reconfiguring; and our population is ageing.

Yet one thing endures – our unique tripartite partnership. That trust among Government, employers and unions built over the years remains one of Singapore’s most important competitive advantages, especially amidst a more uncertain, fragmented and volatile global economic landscape.

SNEF’s role in tripartism

Our tripartite model is not just about Government, employers and unions each taking a stand against each other, but working side by side and standing together as partners to tackle challenges, find common ground and deliver better outcomes for both workers and businesses.

It is the way we solve problems, shape our policies, and keep our economy strong and our society cohesive.

We saw the strength of this model in crisis.

During crises such as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, SNEF and NTUC worked together with MOM to help firms cut costs to save jobs. We rolled out various forms of support, such as the SPUR and Resilience packages during the GFC and the Jobs Support Scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because of our unique tripartism, we were able to protect both firms and workers, and Singapore was able to rebound faster than most countries.

The International Labour Organization has recognised tripartism as key to our early recovery during the GFC.

In 2012, Singapore introduced re-employment legislation to enable more older workers to stay economically active beyond their retirement.

Employers had concerns about costs and productivity, but the tripartite partners worked through these together – Government set the direction; unions prepared their workers; and SNEF represented the employers to shape the policy, and to ensure that it was fair and practical.

In particular, SNEF led the Tripartite Implementation Workgroup to help employers adopt re-employment practices even before the legislation came into effect. SNEF also provided feedback to the Government to shape the grants and various support schemes for employers.

This led to a smoother implementation of the re-employment framework and stronger employer buy-in.

These episodes show how our tripartite relationship has enabled Singapore to respond quickly, preserve jobs and emerge stronger.

Forging the future of work

Looking ahead, SNEF must now help employers navigate a new era, defined by uncertainty, rapidly advancing technology and shifting workforce dynamics.

Uncertainty

Global trade and production networks are being reshaped by tariffs, fragmentation and geopolitical tensions. Businesses will need to operate in a more volatile and competitive world.

SNEF, together with the Government, SBF and NTUC, has been playing their part to support employers through the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT).

Engagements with employers have strengthened our collective sensemaking of the impact of tariffs and supply chain reconfiguration on businesses, how the Government can support them, and mitigate the impact on workers as well as jobseekers.

Through the SERT, SNEF is helping firms plan ahead and adapt to a more fragmented and contested global environment.

But resilience also depends on people. How employers develop and engage their workforce will determine how well they can adapt to changes.

Demographics

With an ageing workforce and slowing workforce growth, companies face a tighter labour market and rising expectations from our workers. Employers must do more to engage their people, build trust, raise productivity and maximise the potential of our workforce through skills upgrading and job transformation.

To support employers, SNEF will set up the Advisory, Resource and Consultancy Centre (ARCC), a one-stop centre integrating its advisory, consultancy and transformation services.

The ARCC will provide practical HR and legal advice to employers, a virtual resource centre offering case studies and online tools, and guide firms in navigating government grants and programmes to support workforce transformation.

It will also help employers prepare for the Workplace Fairness Act, promoting fair and progressive practices that strengthen workplace cohesion.

These efforts will help businesses build stronger teams and prepare them for what lies ahead.

Technology

AI, automation, robotics and the intersection of these technologies will reshape jobs and skills across every sector. New roles are emerging, while others will evolve or may disappear altogether. This will require employers and workers to be more agile.

SNEF is working closely with Workforce Singapore (WSG) on job redesign and career conversion, and with NTUC to facilitate smooth job transitions.

Together, these initiatives help companies reconfigure roles, reskill their teams, and create career pathways for workers to take on new and more valuable jobs.

This way, we can turn technological disruption into a force for renewal, driving growth and strengthening competitiveness.

SNEF’s role going forward

SNEF will build on its core strengths to help employers manage disruption and foster workforce agility in four ways:

First, to move from foresight to action, by providing sector-specific insights, so that employers can translate global trends into practical transformation plans, and build stronger capabilities and skills in their workers;

Second, to accelerate job redesign among employers, through collaborations with WSG and NTUC to integrate technology and create inclusive career pathways;

Third, to foster fair and trusted workplaces, by equipping employers to implement the Workplace Fairness Act effectively and embed its principles in daily employment practices; and

Last, to develop human capital, by partnering with the Institute for Human Resource Professionals, the Singapore Human Resources Institute and institutes of higher learning to uplift the HR capabilities and professionalism amongst employers.

Together, these efforts will help employers navigate change with confidence, build trust at the workplace, and create opportunities for all.

Conclusion

The future of work will be shaped by how we work together.

Enterprise and workforce transformation go hand in hand.

To stay competitive and resilient, employers must align business and human capital strategies.

For 45 years, the SNEF has been a steady hand for employers, balancing business needs and workers’ well-being, as well as national interest. That partnership has helped Singapore weather crises, lift productivity and drive growth.

As we navigate technological disruption, demographic challenges and global competition, SNEF’s mission is to help employers lead with responsibility, turn uncertainty into opportunity, and build workplaces that are both productive and inclusive.

If we continue to act with unity and purpose – Government, employers and unions working together as one – Singapore will remain a trusted home for enterprises and a society of opportunity for all.

So let us forge our future together.

Thank you.