PM Wong pledges to act on lower-wage and mature workers’ worries

Lower-wage workers and Singaporeans who lose their jobs in their 40s and 50s can expect the Government to act on their concerns, said Prime Minister and People’s Action Party (PAP) Secretary-General Lawrence Wong.

Speaking to some 3,000 party activists at the PAP Awards and Conference 2026 at Singapore Expo on 25 October, Mr Wong said Singapore’s growth is not reaching every worker equally.

“Some workers are benefiting from new opportunities, but others are struggling to keep up,” he said.

Lower-wage workers worry about keeping pace with rising costs, he noted, while those in their 40s and 50s who lose their jobs worry about whether they can find work again.

“We understand these concerns and we will respond to them. Our task is not just to keep the economy growing. It is to make sure that growth translates into better lives for all Singaporeans.”

Mr Wong also signalled that more support is on the way: “There’s much more to come. And we have a full agenda in this term of government.”

That agenda includes tackling cost-of-living pressures and helping Singaporeans secure better jobs.

From restaurant manager to IT specialist

Mr Wong shared the story of 45-year-old Fajar Shah Salim, who spent more than 20 years in the food and beverage industry before losing his job as a restaurant manager early last year.

As his family’s sole breadwinner, Mr Fajar received about $2,800 over two months through the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme. This gave him breathing space to train and plan his next move. He is now an IT operations specialist with ST Engineering.

“The support gave him a chance. But his determination helped him make the most of it,” said Mr Wong.

While the Government will create opportunities and support workers through change, workers must also be prepared to learn and adapt, he added.

Working with unions

Mr Wong said the Government is working closely with NTUC and unions to help workers adapt to change and get back on their feet.

Addressing NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and union leaders, he said: “Thank you for the strong and symbiotic partnership. Our efforts are working and delivering results.”

A new leadership team

Earlier in the day, party cadres elected 12 members to the PAP’s 39th Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party’s top decision-making body. They were chosen by secret ballot from 19 candidates.

The 12 elected members are:

• Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong
• Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong
• Minister for Education Desmond Lee
• Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing
• Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli
• Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam
• Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu
• Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat
• Minister for Law Edwin Tong
• Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah
• Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan

Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Minister Tan See Leng and Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad were then co-opted into the CEC, after receiving the 13th and 14th highest number of votes.

The PAP’s constitution allows up to six members to be co-opted.

Honouring activists

A total of 526 activists were recognised at the Party Awards ceremony.

The highest honour, the Meritorious Service Medal, went to former MPs Charles Chong and Sitoh Yih Pin. Mr Chong, the PAP’s longest-serving backbencher, is an adviser to the SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union and mentors a new generation of union leaders.