\n<\/p>\n
Another recommendation was to\u00a0create \u201ccareer bridges\u201d for workers that are in at-risk roles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some sectors and occupations are more likely to be disrupted from automation, AI and changing cost structures. The review said that workforce transition plans should be proactively developed for such roles before large-scale displacement happens.<\/span><\/p>\n A structured pathway \u2013 or career bridge \u2013 could be created to map workers in riskier roles to more resilient occupations, taking into account their existing skills and experience.<\/span><\/p>\n The \u201cbridge\u201d could also include targeted training, career guidance and job matching, and should be prioritised for areas with more acute disruption pressures.<\/span><\/p>\n “The principle … is to protect the worker, but not the job,” said Mr Siow.<\/p>\n The ESR also recommended that Singapore closely monitor the impact of AI on workers and adjust policies where needed.<\/p>\n If AI leads to more severe disruption than expected, the government should consider more structural changes to ensure the gains are shared fairly across society.<\/p>\n “The benefits of AI cannot accrue only to those with capital. Workers must also benefit through better jobs, stronger wage growth and broader opportunities,” the executive summary said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Earlier this month, Members of Parliament debating a motion on AI <\/a>had also raised concerns about inequality, given that access to AI tools often require costly subscriptions.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, workers who are retrenched should receive support before they leave their jobs, the review said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTransition support cannot begin only after a worker loses his or her job. Earlier intervention significantly improves the chances of redeployment,\u201d the summary said.<\/span><\/p>\n Companies in Singapore with at least 10 employees are currently required to submit a mandatory retrenchment notification to the government within five working days after informing affected workers.<\/span><\/p>\n They should be encouraged to inform the government in advance, while the mandatory retrenchment notification period should be shortened, said the committees.<\/span><\/p>\n Workers could then receive counselling, career guidance, skills assessment and job-matching support before leaving their jobs, giving them more time, options and confidence to navigate the transition.<\/span><\/p>\n The ESR’s proposal for earlier retrenchment notifications echoed an earlier call by labour chief Ng Chee Meng for <\/span>mandatory retrenchment notifications to be made in advance. <\/span><\/a>In response, the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) \u2013 a tripartite partner \u2013 had <\/strong>said requiring advance notification has \u201csignificant implementation challenges and uncertain benefits”.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nRETRENCHMENT SUPPORT<\/h2>\n