During the nine-hour debate, MPs spoke about the need to help young workers gain a foothold in an increasingly uncertain labour market.
Retrenchment benefits, skills training and helping young workers navigate the job market were among the issues raised by over 20 MPs in Parliament on Aug 5.
They were responding to a motion filed by WP MPs Kenneth Tiong (Aljunied GRC) and Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC), which set out the opposition party’s vision for Singapore’s economy and its response to the Government’s economic plans.
An amended motion was put forth by PAP MP Edward Chia (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC), which the WP MPs dissented to. It was subsequently passed by the House.
During the nine-hour debate, MPs spoke about the need to help young workers gain a foothold in an increasingly uncertain labour market.
Such workers may be among the hardest hit if artificial intelligence compresses entry-level roles and creates a “broken rung” at the start of their careers, said National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay (Pioneer).
“If our young graduates cannot get that first meaningful foothold, their long-term progression may be affected. We cannot allow the first step of a career to become the weakest link in our labour market,” he added.
He noted that NTUC, through the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT), works with the Government and employers in various sectors to give young graduates structured, industry-relevant experience.
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