Retrenchment Trends in Singapore's E-commerce and Tech-enabled Sectors
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns retrenchment trends in Singapore's e-commerce and tech-enabled sectors, support measures for affected workers, and reporting obligations for regional layoffs, as raised by Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim to the Acting Minister for Manpower. In response, it was stated that sector retrenchments fluctuated between 480 and 580 over the past four quarters, staying below 2023 and 2024 peaks and driven mainly by restructuring. The resident six-month re-entry rate improved from 53% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 61% in the first quarter of 2026. To aid workers needing reskilling, the Skills and Workforce Development Agency provides programmes such as Career Conversion Programmes offering up to 90% salary support, the Mid-Career Pathways Programme, and SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes. Finally, employers conducting regional retrenchments that impact Singapore-based staff must declare their support measures under the Mandatory Retrenchment Notification.
Transcript
65 Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry has observed an increase in retrenchments in Singapore's e-commerce and tech-enabled sectors; (b) what new or enhanced support measures are being considered for affected workers whose skills may not transfer easily to other industries; and (c) whether companies undertaking regional retrenchments that affect Singapore-based employees are required to report about the support offered to affected local workers.
Ms Jasmin Lau: In the past four quarters, the number of retrenchments in Singapore's e-commerce and tech-enabled sectors fluctuated within the range of 480 to 580, below the peaks observed in 2023 and 2024. Retrenchments were driven largely by business reorganisation or restructuring. The six-months re-entry rate among retrenched residents within these sectors improved, from 53% in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 61% in the first quarter of 2026.
The Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) offers a suite of programmes to support retrenched workers to re-enter employment. In particular, jobseekers who require significant reskilling can participate in career conversion programmes (CCPs), the Mid-Career Pathways Programme (MCPP) and the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes (SCTP). For example, the CCPs provide employers with up to 90% salary support to train mid-career career switchers who may not have the full set of skills required to take up new roles immediately. SWDA also works closely with sector agencies and industry to refresh the jobs and opportunities offered through these programmes.
Companies undertaking regional retrenchments that affect Singapore-based employees are required to declare the support provided to affected workers as part of the Mandatory Retrenchment Notification.