In this edition of the Singapore Labour Research Digest, we showcase the recently launched NTUC Labour Alliance co-LaB (LAB) at the 5th Labour Research Conference held in September 2024. We also highlight findings from our research in professionalising the skilled trades, showcasing learnings from overseas, youth perceptions, and suggesting strategies to establish a strong local core of skilled tradespeople in Singapore.

In this edition of the Singapore Labour Research Digest, we uncover how challenges could impact the opportunities available for workers in the manufacturing sector. We also suggest how workers can navigate the opportunities and risks by securing the necessary skills to create strategic advantages in the sector.

In this edition of the Singapore Labour Research Digest, we explore the impact of automation on Singapore and identify key strategies to mitigate the impact of an ageing population and slowing workforce growth.

The workplace in Singapore has evolved and work arrangements have shifted away from the traditional on-site, fixed-time, and fixed-workload structure. Over the years, NTUC has championed flexibility at work as a means of improving welfare for employees as well as supporting individuals with caregiving responsibilities. This Briefing Paper seeks to provide insights and case studies into how Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) can be implemented in a way that is a win-win for both companies and employees through three behaviourally informed recommendations.

Discover insights from the National Trades Union Congress' recent survey on economic sentiments among Singapore's resident workforce, conducted in anticipation of the Singapore Budget 2024. Gain valuable perspectives from 2,000 respondents surveyed between December 2023 and January 2024.

Experienced and highly skilled essential tradespeople; including plumbers, electricians, air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation mechanics; often grapple with the issue of low wages and a negative association that their jobs are depicted as 'dirty, dangerous and demeaning’. These challenges, coupled with low fertility rates and an ageing population, hinder the recruitment of younger local workers to fill the gaps left by retiring tradespeople. This study seeks to provide insights into professionalising skilled essential trades and establishing a strong local core of skilled tradespeople in Singapore.

Persistent low birth rates have resulted in demographic shifts most notably in an ageing workforce and fewer young entrants into the labour force. This multi-methodology research study aims to paint a picture of Singapore’s future industry-specific labour force profile and identify key strategies to mitigate the impact of an ageing population and slowing workforce growth.

As Singapore's manufacturing faces renewed strengths and threats in a changing post-pandemic world, this study seeks to gather insights on how these challenges could affect the opportunities available for workers in the manufacturing sector here. This study also suggests how workers can navigate opportunities and risks by securing necessary skills to create strategic advantages in the sector.

In this edition of the Singapore Labour Research Digest, we explore workers' top concerns today and in the next decade, including their perception of climate change's impact on organisations. Our study highlights the crucial role of unions in supporting a Just Transition for workers.

This Harvard Business Review Analytic Services paper highlights NTUC’s innovation — the Company Training Committee, which enables companies to benefit from innovation and higher productivity, while workers enjoyed better wages, welfare and work prospects with new skills.