PM Wong's May Day Promise: Protect Every Worker, Not Every Job

Date: May 1, 2026

In a watershed moment for Singapore's labor force, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong used his May Day Rally address to chart a clear course through the AI disruption era: the government will protect every worker, even if it cannot protect every job. The historic speech laid out an ambitious framework to help Singaporeans not just survive the AI transformation, but thrive in it.

The AI Tidal Wave is Here

Addressing more than 1,600 union leaders and attendees at Downtown East, PM Wong did not mince words about the scale of change headed Singapore's way. "The impact on workplaces will be much greater than previous waves of technological transformation," he declared. "Jobs will change, some will disappear, and the pace of change will be faster than anything Singapore has seen before."

The Prime Minister cited striking examples to illustrate AI's rapidly growing presence. At Google, he noted, just two years ago only 25% of the search giant's new code was written by AI. Today, that figure has rocketed to 75%. The implication was clear: the AI revolution is not some distant future—it's happening now, reshaping even the most technical professions.

Beyond chatbots, AI agents have emerged that don't just answer questions but can plan and execute complex tasks. Companies are already deploying these agents to manage social media, draft reports, and handle administrative work—workflows that previously required entire teams. "Now a single person with AI agents can do all of that," PM Wong observed.

A New Deal for Workers

In response to this seismic shift, the government announced several major initiatives designed to equip Singaporeans with the tools they need to navigate the AI era:

1. New Skills and Workforce Development Agency: The government is combining two existing agencies overseeing skills upgrading into a single new entity. This consolidated agency will provide more streamlined and effective support for workers seeking to upskill.

2. Expanded Company Training Committees: Singapore plans to scale up Company Training Committees (CTCs) across various sectors and companies. These committees, which bring together management and union representatives to identify necessary skills and plan training, have already seen more than 3,800 formed. The new goal: significantly expand this number.

3. Tripartite Jobs Council in Action: Announced the day before the rally, the new council brings together the government, NTUC, and Singapore National Employers Federation to coordinate AI transition efforts and ensure the national AI push always benefits workers.

4. Stronger SkillsFuture: The government is strengthening the SkillsFuture movement, building on existing programs that incentivize Singaporeans to pick up AI-related skills through courses and other tools.

Call to Action for Singaporeans

Beyond government initiatives, PM Wong issued a personal appeal to Singaporeans: "Do not let anxiety or uncertainty hold you back from learning and using AI." He emphasized that companies embracing AI will stay competitive, and workers who build AI skills will have better opportunities and prospects.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that many Singaporeans have told him they want to do more with AI but simply don't know where to start. "That is why the Government is providing additional support," he said. "That is our commitment to Singaporeans: You make the effort, and we will be there for you—every step of the way."

Singapore's Unique Advantage

PM Wong highlighted Singapore's tripartite system as the island nation's secret weapon in navigating AI disruption. "In many other countries, change leads to division where unions fight employers, businesses look after themselves, and workers are left behind," he noted. "But in Singapore, the Government, unions and employers work together—not as adversaries but as partners."

Looking ahead, the government is targeting global leadership in AI. PM Wong highlighted that leading companies like Google continue to strengthen their AI activities in Singapore, including the establishment of Google DeepMind—the company's first AI research laboratory in Southeast Asia.

The message from this year's May Day Rally was unmistakable: the AI transformation is inevitable, but Singapore's unique brand of tripartite cooperation gives the nation the best possible chance to ensure that every worker emerges stronger on the other side.

Sources:

This article was published on AI Dominance SG - your source for AI news in Singapore.

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