Written Answer · 2026-01-12 · Parliament 15
Publication of Quarterly Statistics on AI-related Retrenchment and Redeployment of Affected Workers
An MP asked whether quarterly statistics on AI-related retrenchments and the redeployment of affected workers will be published. The government replied that retrenchments are mainly attributed to business restructuring (which includes AI-driven productivity gains) and that it will continue to study technology's impact on jobs. The central debate is the transparency of AI retrenchment data and how its specific impact is assessed.
Key Points
- • Calls for publication of AI retrenchment data
- • Most retrenchments cited as business restructuring
- • Government continues to study technology impact
Business restructuring is the main cause; AI impact remains under study.
Demands public AI retrenchment and redeployment data.
Continued research into AI impacts on employment.
"Business restructuring may stem from productivity improvements or work efficiency gains arising from the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) or other technological advances."
Participants (2)
Original Text (English)
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-05-02
48 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry will publish quarterly statistics on (i) retrenchments citing AI being one of the reasons for redundancy (ii) the redeployment rates of such affected workers and (iii) the average time for these affected workers to re-enter employment; and (b) if not, why not.
Dr Tan See Leng : The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) surveys businesses on the reasons for carrying out retrenchments, with business restructuring being one of the categories. The proportion of retrenchments due to business restructuring has generally ranged from 60% to 70% since 2024. Business restructuring may stem from productivity improvements or work efficiency gains arising from the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) or other technological advances.
The Government will continue to study the impact of technological adoption, including AI, on employment trends.