Singapore union handled 3,900 white-collar layoff cases in 2025
Why it matters: Retrenchments rose to 14,490 in 2025 as offshoring and AI-driven restructuring hit finance, tech and professional services.
More white-collar workers in Singapore are turning to unions after losing their jobs, with the National Trades Union Congress handling more than 3,900 retrenchment and termination cases for professionals, managers and executives in 2025, up 5% from 2024. NTUC said the increase reflects more business restructuring, including roles moved overseas to cut costs and some job losses tied to companies investing in AI. National retrenchments climbed from 13,020 in 2024 to 14,490 in 2025, even as unemployment held at 2%. NTUC said workers in professional services, finance, and infocomm and technology are especially exposed, and warned many PMEs still do not know they can join unions and seek representation during layoffs.