Budget 2026: NTUC calls for earlier retrenchment notices and stronger support for PMEs amidst AI disruption

As Singapore heads into Budget 2026, NTUC is stepping up calls for stronger job security and transition support for professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes workplaces and employer expectations.

According to NTUC’s Survey on Economic Sentiments 2025, 56 per cent of PMEs said they need to upskill to remain relevant, highlighting mounting pressure on white-collar workers to adapt to rapid technological shifts.

Against this backdrop, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and other Labour Members of Parliament are calling for earlier mandatory retrenchment notifications, alongside stronger jobseeker support in the upcoming Budget.

One key proposal is to require companies to notify workers of retrenchments earlier, coupled with enhanced employer-led job support, so affected employees can begin searching for new opportunities sooner.

NTUC is also urging the Government to strengthen existing schemes such as the Jobseeker Support Scheme, as workers face more frequent job disruptions linked to economic uncertainty and technological change.

Mr Ng said AI disruption is a real concern for workers.

“Our PMEs are prepared to adapt, but they need timely training and tangible support, both in employment and in the event of retrenchment, so that they do not have to navigate these challenges alone.

“As PMEs come forward, NTUC will press on with our efforts like the Company Training Committees (CTCs) to help businesses transform, and support professionals, including accountants, in their careers and growth,” said Mr Ng.

Mr Ng made these remarks during a company visit on 9 February 2026 to SIN Assurance PAC, a public accounting corporation that offers audit and assurance services.

The firm has worked with NTUC SME Partners to tap into the CTC Grant to adopt AI-related technologies to improve productivity.

Using Company Training Committees to support workforce transformation

Beyond advocating for policy change, NTUC is working with employers through the CTC and CTC Grant to develop transformation plans that improve productivity while building a future-ready workforce.

As of December 2025, more than 800 CTC Grant projects have been approved to enhance business and workforce productivity.

Nearly one in six of these projects is related to finance, accounting and procurement roles, and is set to benefit close to 1,700 workers, whose roles are largely taken up by PMEs.

These projects include efforts such as enterprise resource planning adoption, improving audit and compliance efficiency, and building digital advisory capabilities.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng (in red) with staff of SIN Assurance PAC on 9 February 2026.

AI adoption at SIN Assurance PAC

SIN Assurance PAC is amongst the firms that have tapped the CTC Grant to adopt AI-related technologies to improve productivity.

Previously, the firm relied heavily on labour-intensive manual audit processes, including journal entry testing and spreadsheet-based tracking – practices that affected turnaround time and made compliance monitoring more challenging.

With the grant, the firm implemented an online quality management tool to centralise requirements, controls, monitoring activities, and supporting evidence.

It also introduced robotic process automation and deployed an AI-enabled chatbot to improve audit efficiency and accuracy.

For audit professionals, the shift has enabled a move towards higher-value work.

Ms Ooi Soo Ying, 33, said transformation and automation has reduced errors in repetitive tasks while freeing up time for deeper analysis.

She said: “Technology has helped streamline our audit work and processes. As a result, with routine and administrative tasks increasingly supported by automation, we can focus more on analysis, judgement and risk assessment, while continuing to upskill as the nature of audit work changes.”

Another auditor, Eer Jia Han, 31, shared that technology support for routine audit and quality management processes has strengthened audit quality.

“With technology supporting routine processes and quality management activities, we are better able to apply our professional judgement to higher-risk and more complex areas, strengthening audit quality and the reliability of our assurance conclusions,” she explained.

SIN Assurance PAC Managing Partner Dax Teo said the firm views AI and automation as enablers of higher-value work, describing NTUC as a “natural partner” in supporting business transformation and workforce upskilling through the CTC Grant.

The firm is amongst a growing number of accounting and audit firms working with NTUC for business transformation and workforce development.

Five accounting firms have applied for CTC Grants to support AI adoption, job redesign and structured training for their PMEs, with more accounting firms exploring initiatives.

NTUC Career Festival 2026

NTUC also highlighted the need for clearer training pathways and more structured support for all workers, including PMEs.

To support jobseekers, NTUC will organise the NTUC Career Festival on 13 and 14 February 2026, from 9am to 6pm at Sands Expo and Convention Centre. The event will allow workers to explore job opportunities, access upskilling programmes and connect directly with employers.

Companies can partner with NTUC to set up a Company Training Committee (CTC) to support job redesign and workplace transformation.