Employment & labour

Poh Li San asked about the government's plans for using agentic AI systems to automate public service job functions and the human resource policies for potentially redundant roles. Mrs. Josephine Teo explained that agentic AI systems can automate tasks like sending emails and updating records, enhancing efficiency but also posing risks. The government is taking a cautious approach to deploying these systems while investing in skills development to help public servants collaborate effectively with AI and focus on more complex responsibilities.

Elysa Chen asked about the number of people under 18 employed to support their households and their educational status. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that only about 0.2% of the resident workforce is aged 15 to 17, with around three-quarters of these individuals working while attending school. Reasons for youth employment include personal circumstances, skill-building, and financial support for families. The Government offers financial assistance through ComCare for lower-income families, with additional support provided via ComLink+ for families with children under 21.

He Ting Ru asked about the number of successful job placements made by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Job Club each year and the employment status of these patients after probation and three years. Ong Ye Kung reported that from 2012 to 2024, the Job Club placed 1,722 patients in jobs, averaging 132 placements per year. Out of these placements, 46 patients remained in the same job for at least three years, while others may have switched jobs during that time.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about anticipated layoffs in the petrochemical industry following ExxonMobil's announcement of retrenching up to 500 staff by 2027 and if support would be provided for affected workers. Tan See Leng confirmed the layoffs and noted that the energy sector is experiencing global changes, but new job opportunities are emerging in low-carbon industries like specialty chemicals and bio-chemicals. The Government's priority is to assist retrenched workers through the Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment, which offers career matching and retraining programs. Additionally, the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme provides financial assistance to help retrenched individuals find new employment opportunities.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan raised concerns about the stress teachers face due to administrative work, citing the OECD TALIS 2024 report which shows little reduction in time spent on such tasks since 2018. She sought clarification on the Ministry of Education's quantitative targets and timelines to alleviate this burden. Additionally, she highlighted that 27% of teachers report high stress levels and questioned what specific measures the Ministry will implement to reduce workload and work hours. Desmond Lee stated that this issue will be addressed in a future parliamentary sitting and relevant information will be published on the Ministry's website.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about the compliance rates for wages, training, and working hours in Progressive Wage Model sectors and how the Ministry of Manpower plans to improve compliance in underperforming sectors. Tan See Leng responded that approximately 80% of eligible employees meet salary requirements under the PWM, but the Ministry does not monitor training and working hours by sector. The Ministry will focus on targeted inspections and collaborate with partners to educate and assist employers in meeting PWM requirements.

David Hoe questioned the Minister for Manpower about employer awareness and adoption of the Tripartite Standard on Unpaid Leave for Unexpected Care Needs, especially concerning parents of children with special health conditions. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong reported that 880 new employers adopted the standard from January 2023 to date, totaling over 4,500 adopters. The Ministry promotes progressive employment practices through outreach, including workshops by the Singapore National Employers Federation. Hoe raised concerns about whether the current four weeks of unpaid leave is sufficient and suggested a public registry of supportive employers, while Huang noted ongoing enhancements to parental leave provisions and encouraged flexible work arrangements for better support to parents.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin sought updates on the job fit assessment and referral framework by the National Council of Social Service aimed at supporting jobseekers with mental health conditions. Dr. Koh Poh Koon responded that a referral framework will be established by 2026, in collaboration with employment support agencies, to provide customized employment assistance. He emphasized that the framework will address a wide spectrum of mental health conditions and will ensure support is tailored to individual needs, which may include vocational training. The duration of support will also be individualized, reflecting the varying conditions and needs of each person seeking employment.

Shawn Loh asked about the relevance of SkillsFuture Credit courses to employment and whether conditions should be imposed for their use, such as requiring recommendations from Government-appointed Skills Development Partners. Dr. Janil Puthucheary explained that there are existing conditions ensuring course relevance, with a specific focus on mid-careerists for the $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit top-up. Loh emphasized the importance of measuring the impact of SkillsFuture on fostering a culture of lifelong learning and acquiring industry-relevant skills, suggesting that future funding should prioritize skills that lead to good job opportunities. Puthucheary acknowledged these points and stated that the Ministry is committed to improving data collection and outcomes related to lifelong learning and employment opportunities.