KUALA LUMPUR - Singapore’s Parliament unanimously passed a motion affirming that the country must avoid jobless growth during the transition towards artificial intelligence (AI).

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General, Ng Chee Meng said there was a clear consensus that the impact of AI on workers must be managed together.

“All members recognise that AI adoption is not optional. If Singapore is to stay competitive, both enterprises and workers need to use AI fluency to seize new opportunities,” he said.

The motion called on Parliament to recognise the impact of new technologies while ensuring that economic progress remains fair and inclusive.

The motion was tabled by Ng together with PAP MPs Saktiandi Supaat and Yeo Wan Ling, as well as Nominated MP Mark Lee.

It marked the first motion introduced by Singapore’s labour movement in more than 10 years.

The motion was passed after two days of debate involving 24 Members of Parliament, including representatives from the Workers’ Party and members of the government.

In his closing speech, Ng repeated calls by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng and Minister of State Jasmin Lau for collective action in managing AI-related changes.

“Left to market, AI growth may not automatically benefit workers,” said Ng.

He added that several MPs had raised concerns that some workers could benefit from AI while others risk being left behind.

“I am therefore glad that through this motion, the government has affirmed that it will not leave outcomes to chance but will shape the direction of AI growth deliberately. 

“With this House standing united, I am fully confident that we can strengthen our plans and responses at this stage of AI-enabled growth.

“Together with enabled enterprises, we will forge tripartism in the AI era for win-win outcomes, as we have done before in Singapore for Singaporeans,” said Ng, adding that he is looking forward to the government’s Economic Strategy Review (ESR) report.