Data on Retrenchments by Sector and Occupation, and Re-employment Rate and Salaries for Residents Aged 50 to 59

128 Ms Cassandra Lee asked the Minister for Manpower given the increase in retrenchment incidence among residents aged 50 to 59 in the first quarter of 2026 (a) whether the Ministry can provide a breakdown of retrenchments by sector and occupation; and (b) whether the Ministry tracks if older retrenched residents secure re-employment at comparable wages and seniority.

Dr Tan See Leng: In the first quarter of 2026, the profile of retrenched residents aged 50 to 59 was broadly similar to the profile of all retrenched residents, predominantly comprising professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) and were mainly from wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, financial and insurance services and professional services.

Among residents aged 50 to 59, the rate of re-entry into employment six months after retrenchment was 51.8%, rising to 63.2% at the twelve-month mark. Among those who re-entered, around eight in 10 entered similar or higher-skilled occupations and more than half received similar or higher wages in their full-time roles.