{
  "id": 8838670,
  "title": "Singapore retrenchments rise sharply in Q2 amid falling vacancies and fewer laid-off workers finding jobs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/singapore-retrenchments-rise-sharply-in-q2-amid-falling-vacancies-and-8838670",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-21T04:00:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-workers-retrenchments-jobs-q2-2026-6398481"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore saw a sharp rise in retrenchments during the second quarter of 2026, with 4,620 dismissals marking the highest level since late 2020, according to government labour data released on September 21. The retrenchment rate reached 2.0 per 1,000 employees, up from 1.6 in the previous quarter. Businesses in manufacturing, information and communications, and financial services were cited as key drivers behind the increased layoffs due to reorganisation and restructuring efforts.\n\nWhile the labour market expanded from April to June 2026, smaller indicators suggested a softening. Resident employment growth slowed to 2,200 from 5,400 in the prior quarter, and the six-month re-entry rate from retrenchment decreased to 54.9 per cent, down from 60.7 per cent. Twelve-month re-entry remained stable at 69.8 per cent. Overall employment increased by 11,400, with work permit holders in construction and manufacturing contributing to this growth. Unemployment remained low at 1.9 per cent overall, 2.9 per cent for residents, and 3 per cent for citizens.\n\nActing Manpower Minister Jasmin Lau noted that fewer job vacancies were added and that some workers faced longer transitions into new roles. She highlighted career conversion programmes aimed at mid-career workers, offering job-specific training and real-world experience. While job opportunities remain, the minister acknowledged the challenges some Singaporeans face in transitioning between jobs.\n\nMOM's director of manpower research and statistics, Mr Ang Boon Heng, cautioned that consecutive quarters of rising retrenchments merit monitoring. However, he saw no forward indicators suggesting the trend would persist. The number of workers on short work-week and temporary layoffs fell to 700 in Q2 2026, indicating an early indicator of retrenchments. Retrenchment incidence among workers in their 50s remained high at 3.6 per 1,000 resident employees, and long-term unemployment increased for those aged 50 and above and those aged 60 and above. Despite these concerns, polls of businesses showed a positive but cautious labour market outlook, with near-term hiring expectations improving across several sectors.",
  "summary": "While the labour market continued to expand from April to June 2026, some indicators pointed to \"signs of softening\", said the Manpower Ministry.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Singapore",
        "title": "Singapore retrenchments rise sharply in Q2 amid falling vacancies and fewer laid-off workers finding jobs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/singapore-retrenchments-rise-sharply-in-q2-amid-falling-vacancies-and",
        "published": "2026-09-21T04:00:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}