NTUC Steps Up to Support Workers and Businesses in Tough Times

At the 2025 May Day Rally, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng unveiled ambitious plans to strengthen workforce support and accelerate business transformation. These initiatives come in response to rising unemployment across the country. The announcement follows a downgraded economic growth forecast of 0–2% for 2025.  The initiatives aim to equip Singaporean workers with skills to navigate global economic uncertainties, including looming US tariffs and slowing trade.

Ng shared that NTUC’s Job Security Directorate is getting a major upgrade. It’ll now focus on connecting workers with the right jobs and helping businesses rethink how they operate. One cool new feature is AI-powered virtual career coaching, which will guide workers on sprucing up their resumes, nailing job interviews, and mapping out their career goals. NTUC is also launching special training groups called Cluster Company Training Committees (CTCs) to teach workers the skills their industries need most. The first one, kicked off earlier this year with ST Engineering Land Systems and SkillsFuture Singapore, is already training over 1,000 workers from 40 smaller businesses.

For platform workers, like delivery riders and freelancers, NTUC is pushing the new Platform Workers Act to ensure they get Central Provident Fund savings, injury coverage, and a voice at work. Ng also celebrated the Progressive Wage Model, which has boosted wages for 155,000 lower-paid workers by nearly 6% from 2019 to 2024, helping make Singapore’s income gap the smallest since 2000.

Ng got personal, reflecting on his 2020 election loss and how it taught him to keep pushing forward. He stressed that teamwork is key to building a better Singapore. NTUC is teaming up with government and business partners, plus SkillsFuture Queen Bee companies, to boost skills and productivity across the board.

With tough times ahead, NTUC’s plans are all about preparing workers for what’s next and keeping opportunities open for everyone. Ng called on union members to unite for better jobs and a brighter future, showing NTUC’s ready to lead the way.