# Enhancing Retrenchment Statistics to Capture AI or Automation as Contributing Factors

- Date: 2026-08-04
- Added: 2026-09-04
- Who: Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari · Ms Jasmin Lau
- Source: https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=written-answer-na-23956
- sgai: https://sgai.md/debates/written-answer-na-23956/
- License: sgai-authored content (summaries, translations, analysis) is CC BY 4.0 — attribute and link to sgai.md. Verbatim source text (Hansard, speeches, transcripts, policy documents) remains © its original rights holders and is reproduced for reference only. Terms: https://github.com/meltflake/sgai/blob/main/DATA-LICENSE.md

## Why it matters

The Ministry of Manpower admits its retrenchment statistics cannot isolate AI as a cause, so Singapore still has no official data on how much AI is actually displacing PME jobs.

## Summary

Nominated MP Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari asked the Acting Minister for Manpower in a written question whether the Ministry plans to enhance its retrenchment statistics to better capture contributing factors such as artificial intelligence (AI) or automation, rather than recording them under the broad category of business restructuring, and if so whether a detailed breakdown by occupational group could be provided, particularly for Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs). Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau replied that it is currently difficult to isolate the impact of AI or automation as a primary driver of retrenchments, because automation is typically implemented as part of broader business transformation or restructuring exercises. The Ministry will continue to study how it can better capture the impact of AI and automation in its retrenchment statistics. The answer gave no timeline for any change and made no commitment to an occupational breakdown.

## Key points

- Tiwari asked for retrenchment statistics to break out AI or automation from the broad "business restructuring" category, with a breakdown by occupational group, especially PMEs
- MOM said automation is typically embedded in broader business transformation or restructuring exercises, making it difficult at present to isolate AI or automation as a primary driver of retrenchments
- MOM committed to continue studying how to better capture the impact of AI and automation in its retrenchment statistics, but gave no timeline or commitment to a breakdown

## Full text

© Parliament of Singapore — reproduced for reference only.

134 Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry plans to enhance retrenchment statistics to better capture contributing factors, such as artificial intelligence or automation, instead of under the broad category of business restructuring; and (b) if so, whether a detailed breakdown of such cases by occupational group, particularly among Professionals, Managers and Executives, can be provided.

Ms Jasmin Lau : It is currently difficult to isolate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) or automation as a primary driver of retrenchments as automation is typically implemented as part of broader business transformation or restructuring exercises. The Ministry will continue to study how we can better capture the impact of AI and automation in its retrenchment statistics.