Younger researchers studying pressing labour issues get more support from NTUC
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The Associate Researchers Circle comprising eight young labour researchers was launched at the 6th NTUC Labour Research Conference on Oct 1. They will gain exposure to key labour issues and the opportunities to contribute expertise to the wider labour research network.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
- NTUC launched the Associate Researchers Circle (ARC) with eight young researchers to support studies on labour issues like AI impact and ageing workforce, enhancing Singapore's labour market intelligence.
- ARC builds on the 2024 NTUC Labour Alliance co-laB (Lab) to influence labour policies, identify workforce changes, and aid Tripartite Jobs Council in managing AI-driven job shifts.
- NTUC plans to expand ARC annually, mentoring young researchers to sustain labour research, contributing to the Singapore Labour Journal and strengthening ties with academic and youth networks.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – Young researchers studying pressing labour issues such as the implications of artificial intelligence and the ageing workforce will receive more support, as part of a new research network to strengthen and advance labour market intelligence in Singapore.
The new Associate Researchers Circle (ARC), which comprises eight initial members, was launched by the National Trades Congress Union (NTUC) on Oct 1.
The formation of the group builds on the NTUC Labour Alliance co-laB (Lab), which was launched in 2024 to deepen the knowledge base on labour research in Singapore. The network aims to influence labour policies and practices that will uplift the wages, welfare and work prospects of workers.
The initiative, announced at the labour movement’s 6th Labour Research Conference, comes amid rapid changes in the workforce accelerated by AI.
Insights gathered by Lab and ARC members will collectively help NTUC identify emerging opportunities and risks earlier, and shape its advocacy and interventions.
The combined resources and capabilities will also strengthen efforts in the Tripartite Jobs Council, which was formed in April to help workers keep jobs as companies transform amid AI disruption.
Speaking at the conference’s opening, NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng said that since he spoke about AI’s impact on white-collar jobs such as law, medicine and accountancy two years ago, there still isn’t “full clarity” on how it reshapes these professions in the workplace.
“Good research provides trusted market intelligence and foresight that is grounded in Singapore’s economic and workforce realities,” he added.
Ng also highlighted concerns relating to higher retrenchment numbers and employers cutting back on entry-level hiring.
He noted that while sectors such as manufacturing, information and communications technology, and financial services are growing, retrenchments are also happening.
“Today, these sectors are among those seeing more of the sharpest workforce shifts and reorganisations, and I think this has to do with AI impact and their own business remodelling.”
The eight initial young researchers were nominated by Lab members to gain greater exposure and familiarity with key labour issues and the opportunities to contribute their expertise to the network.
Said Ng: “ARC will bring new voices into the conversation about work and workers, and deepen NTUC’s links with our institutes of higher learning and youth networks.”
One of the group’s inaugural cohort of eight members is Sarah Chan, 33, a research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, who researches how different environments shape workers’ behaviour and outcomes.
She said working with NTUC helps her ask better questions, as she hopes to bring a psychological perspective to what good work means to people as the nature of work continues to evolve. “What excites me most is the chance to bring research closer to workers’ everyday realities, and to turn behavioural insights into real-world change.”
Other members’ academic backgrounds range from data analytics to ethics and consumer behaviour.
Speaking to the media during the conference, NTUC assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay said some of the existing Lab members are established labour research experts who are retiring in due course.
He added that it remains key to ensure and expand a pipeline of younger, emerging labour researchers to continue contributing to the labour research community.
NTUC hopes to bring in five to 10 new young members into the network yearly. Lab members will act as mentors and nurture the next generation of emerging researchers. Successful ones may subsequently be considered for appointment as Lab members, said NTUC in a press statement on Oct 1.
Since Lab was launched in 2024, the labour research community has grown to more than 60 members, including overseas labour experts from universities such as Cornell University and Rutgers University. Lab started out with 50 founding experts.
As at June, Lab members have engaged more than 5,000 workers and 1,000 employers through surveys, dialogues and focus groups. Lab and ARC members will contribute research papers and journal articles, including to the Singapore Labour Journal, a peer-reviewed journal on labour issues.
The conference also marked the fifth edition of the Singapore Labour Journal, featuring 12 articles with a focus on workforce resilience and inclusive labour strategies.