- Facing a wave of job losses due to automation and generative AI, Singapore is implementing a policy combining financial support with vocational retraining to help workers adapt to the new job market.
- Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo stated that those who lose their jobs due to the impact of AI will receive allowances of up to 3,000 SGD/month (about 2,200 USD) for 2 years, giving them time to upskill and reorient their careers.
- This initiative is part of the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme, designed to combine income support with specialized training, specifically for workers aged 40 and above.
- People in this age group can be funded by the government to study for a second diploma, helping them “go back to school” and learn new skills suitable for the digital economy.
- Josephine Teo emphasized: “We understand that citizens still have to pay bills, feed their families, and pay mortgages. Therefore, we help them have time to rebuild their careers without worrying about financial burdens.”
- The Singaporean government sees this as a proactive step against the wave of AI replacing jobs, especially in sectors like accounting, administration, and technical operations.
- Teo’s Ministry also noted many people shifting to cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital forensics, sectors forecast to grow strongly thanks to AI.
- Teo emphasized that AI may replace basic jobs but also opens opportunities for workers to switch to higher-value roles requiring analytical thinking and digital skills.
- The Singaporean government views this program as an “AI job insurance” model, helping citizens get through the technological transition phase without being left behind.
📌 Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information stated that those who lose their jobs due to the impact of AI will receive an allowance of up to 3,000 SGD/month (approx. 2,200 USD) for 2 years, giving them time to upskill and reorient their careers. This initiative is part of the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme, designed to combine income support with specialized training, especially for workers aged 40 and above. Singapore becomes the first country in Asia to implement a comprehensive income support package for workers displaced by AI, combining retraining and social security.
