GovTech cuts 93 jobs in ‘first phase’ of transition to new operating model

He cited services such as Singpass, Parents Gateway and CDC vouchers that require continuous building, operation and improvement rather than one-off delivery.

“This is not an AI-driven downsizing exercise. This shift began years before the current AI wave,” he wrote.

GovTech was “changing shape, not shrinking”, he added, and expects to employ more people by the end of the transformation, with continued hiring for software engineers, product managers, designers, data specialists and cybersecurity professionals.

Mr Chng said the leadership had considered stretching the transition over a longer period and relying mainly on natural attrition, but decided against it.

“Every year of delay leaves critical systems older and widens the gap between what Singaporeans need and what our current model can deliver. That is why we have had to make difficult choices.”

Chief executive Goh Wei Boon said the agency needed to strengthen its ability to “build, run and continuously improve” the products it owns as digital services grow in scale and complexity.

“Citizens and agencies expect digital services that are more secure, reliable and responsive to their needs,” he said.

For officers retrenched in future phases, Mr Chng said the same principles would apply: whether a role exists in the future operating model, with retraining and redeployment offered first, and direct communication to affected staff ahead of any public announcement.

In its official statement, GovTech said it has already redeployed and converted a “substantial number” of officers into new roles, and would continue internal redeployment where possible. Officers in project and vendor management roles facing changes are being offered full-salary apprenticeships and structured retraining to move into product ownership and related work.

Mr Chng and Mr Goh are expected to hold an “Ask Me Anything” session with staff on Thursday.

UNION SAYS IT WAS INFORMED EARLY

The Amalgamated Union of Statutory Board Employees (AUSBE), an affiliated union of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said it was informed of GovTech’s restructuring plans early and had worked with the agency to identify alternatives to retrenchment, including retraining, apprenticeship and redeployment opportunities.

AUSBE general secretary Gabriel Ng said the union had also negotiated an enhanced support package for exiting officers beyond what is provided for under the collective agreement. Beyond the standard one month’s notice and one month’s salary per year of service capped at 25 years, AUSBE said it secured a three-month ex-gratia payment, a pro-rated performance bonus, and six months of paid union membership for members.

The union said career coaches from NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute were on-site to provide personalised coaching and job-matching support for affected Singaporean and permanent resident officers, with close to 30 companies offering more than 300 technology-related vacancies.

The officers have also been invited to a curated tech career fair on Aug 4, AUSBE said.

In a Facebook post, NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Choo said that when employers engage unions early, workers’ concerns can be better addressed and support can be provided in a timely manner to facilitate smoother transitions.

“We are committed to helping the affected GovTech workers for as long as they take to land another opportunity,” said Mr Choo, who is also Minister of State for Defence. 

The Ministry of Manpower said GovTech’s payment package for retrenched employees goes beyond what is recommended under the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment.

The affected workers are also being supported through this transition, with tailored career coaching, job matching and employment support, said a ministry spokesperson.