ILO and Singapore Renew Partnership on Future of Work

The new Partnership Agreement for a Collaborative Programme on Labour and Decent Work was signed on 8 June 2026 by representatives from the ILO and Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Singapore have renewed their partnership for another two years, strengthening efforts to help ASEAN countries respond to major changes reshaping workplaces and employment across the region. The new Partnership Agreement for a Collaborative Programme on Labour and Decent Work was signed on 8 June 2026 by representatives from the ILO and Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

The agreement, which runs from June 2026 to June 2028, was developed following consultations with Singapore's tripartite partners, including the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF). Building on more than 15 years of cooperation, the renewed partnership will focus on helping governments, employers and workers across ASEAN prepare for emerging labour market challenges while taking advantage of new opportunities created by economic and technological change.

Artificial intelligence and new work models take centre stage

The latest agreement expands the scope of cooperation to address some of the most significant trends affecting workers and businesses today. Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, platform-based employment and other non-traditional forms of work will be among the key areas of focus over the next two years. Policymakers and labour market experts are increasingly examining how these developments are changing the relationship between workers and employers, creating new opportunities while also raising concerns about job security, worker protections and skills requirements.

Demographic changes will also receive greater attention under the partnership. Many countries across the region are dealing with ageing populations and a growing need to support older workers who wish to remain active in the workforce.

The programme will continue work in established areas such as occupational safety and health, workforce skills development and social dialogue, which remain important pillars of sustainable labour market development. Planned activities include policy discussions, knowledge-sharing programmes and the exchange of successful practices among ASEAN member states.

Longstanding cooperation continues to grow

Singapore's Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Manpower, Stanley Loh, said the renewed agreement reflects a shared commitment to addressing labour challenges that are becoming increasingly global in nature. He noted that issues such as technological change, ageing populations and new forms of employment require cooperation between governments, employers and workers to ensure labour markets remain inclusive and resilient.

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said labour markets across ASEAN are undergoing significant transformation and that strong partnerships are essential to ensure these changes create benefits for workers, businesses and communities. The renewed agreement builds on a relationship that began in 2011 when the first ILO-Singapore Partnership Agreement was signed. Since then, both parties have worked together on initiatives supporting human resource development, labour market cooperation and regional integration across ASEAN.

Recent activities under the partnership include the Leaders in Tripartism Programme held in Singapore in April 2026. The event brought together representatives from governments, employers and workers across ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to discuss ways to strengthen social dialogue and cooperation. Another major initiative was the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work, held in Singapore in September 2025, which attracted participants from more than 20 countries and focused on developing evidence-based policies to improve conditions for platform workers.

The renewed partnership signals a continued commitment by both Singapore and the ILO to help ASEAN countries build labour markets that can adapt to change while promoting decent work and economic inclusion throughout the region.