Agreement to strengthen regional cooperation on artificial intelligence, demographic change, platform work, skills development and social dialogue.
Geneva (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Singapore have renewed their partnership to support ASEAN countries to navigate the changing nature of work over the next two years.
A ‘Partnership Agreement for a Collaborative Programme on Labour and Decent Work’ was signed on 8 June 2026 by representatives of the ILO and Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
The renewed cooperation framework, developed following consultations with Singapore’s tripartite partners – the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), will be valid for a period of two years from June 2026 to June 2028.
Building on over 15 years of collaboration, it sets out a programme of technical cooperation to strengthen the capacity of ASEAN governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations to navigate emerging labour market developments and opportunities.
New areas of focus include the growing impact of artificial intelligence, the rise of platform and other non-standard forms of employment, demographic transitions and participation of older workers, on top of existing areas such as occupational safety and health, skills development and social dialogue.
Planned activities include policy dialogue, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and the sharing of good practices with ASEAN member states.
Signing on behalf of Singapore, Stanley Loh, Permanent Secretary of MOM said, “Singapore and the ILO enjoy a longstanding mutually beneficial partnership. This renewed Agreement reflects our shared commitment to collectively address global labour issues such as the impact of new technologies, ageing populations and new forms of work to help unlock opportunities for governments, employers, and workers. We look forward to working with the ILO and our regional partners in ASEAN to advance our shared aspiration to promote decent work and more inclusive and resilient labour markets.”
Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General said, “As ASEAN labour markets undergo profound transformation, strong partnerships are essential to ensure that technological change, demographic shifts and new forms of employment create opportunities for all. This renewed agreement reflects our shared commitment to promoting decent work across the region.”
The first ILO- Singapore Partnership Agreement signed in June 2011. Since then, both parties have focused on the management and development of human resources to support ASEAN regional integration and cooperation including South-South and triangular cooperation.
Recent activities include the Leaders in Tripartism Programme organised by Singapore in April 2026, which brought together government, employer and worker representatives from ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, alongside ILO technical experts, to exchange perspectives on strengthening tripartism and social dialogue. In September 2025, Singapore and the ILO convened the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work, in 2025 bringing together from more than 20 countries to advance evidence-based policies for platform workers.