Singapore to host new ASEAN office to exchange jobs data, better track labour market shifts

AI-related changes, platform work and green jobs are some key areas the ASEAN Labour Statistics Office will study.

Davina Tham 27 Oct 2026 10:31AM Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Read a summary of this article on FAST. Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST SINGAPORE: Singapore will host a new office for labour statistics collaboration under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a bid to strengthen regional exchanges of jobs and skills data.

The partnership, proposed by Singapore, will allow ASEAN member states to develop ways to identify labour market shifts earlier and respond more effectively, said Mr Stanley Loh, permanent secretary for manpower.

“The world of work is changing quickly, and we need better ways to understand what those changes mean for employment, skills and workers. No country can build that understanding alone,” he said.

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less The network will support ASEAN member states to better anticipate the labour market impact of artificial intelligence (AI), the green transition, and digital and platform work, said MOM.

Singapore, which is preparing to take on the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027, will serve as the network's convenor until 2030.

It will be accompanied by the launch of an ASEAN Labour Market Knowledge Portal where member states can share research, methodologies and experiences to support evidence-based policymaking.

Mr San Lwin, deputy secretary-general for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, said these efforts would contribute to more resilient labour markets, more competitive businesses, and better outcomes for workers across the region.

Speaking at the network’s inaugural expert forum, Mr Loh noted that Singapore’s studies of platform work informed the development of stronger protections in the Platform Workers Act.

He said MOM is now applying the same focus to study AI and what the technology means for jobs.

MOM highlighted AI and platform work as areas where the ASEAN Labour Statisticians Network can help countries to better understand how work is changing and support workers.

“As AI changes everyday tasks, workers may need new skills and employers may need to redesign jobs,” said the ministry.