Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade & Industry Mr Gan Kim Yong
Minister for Manpower & Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Dr Tan See Leng
NTUC President Ms K Thanaletchimi
NTUC Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng
Tripartite Partners
Leaders and Representatives of the Trade Associations and Chambers
Distinguished Guests
1. A very good morning.
2. It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the SNEF45 Employers’ Summit. Today, we come together to celebrate SNEF’s 45th anniversary, and I am heartened to see more than 300 of our partners and members here with us to mark this meaningful milestone.
Reflecting on SNEF’s Journey
3. This year, as Singapore celebrates 60 years of nationhood, SNEF marks 45 years of service to employers, to tripartism, and to our nation. SNEF’s story, in many ways, is intertwined with Singapore’s own. The National Employers Council, a precursor to SNEF, was founded in 1965 – the very same year Singapore became an independent nation.
4. SNEF has grown from just over 800 members in 1980 to more than 3,900 today. Our members employ a combined workforce of around 870,000 across all sectors of the economy.
5. This progress would not have been possible without the trust and partnership of our members, tripartite partners, and industry collaborators. Working together, we have weathered crises and driven economic progress – emerging stronger, with thriving businesses and a highly skilled workforce.
6. At the heart of SNEF’s work is our enduring mission – to advance tripartism, support employers in building more progressive workplaces, and improve labour market flexibility for sustainable business.
7. To further this mission, SNEF will strengthen our engagements with members – we will organise more in-depth discussions on manpower and related national policies, quality dialogues with our Tripartite Partners, topical talks – such as this morning’s session on AI – and workshops for our new and existing members. We have also set up a Research Advisory Panel of five distinguished academics to provide expertise and independent insights to better enable SNEF to champion employers’ interests with data-driven insights. This is more critical than ever in a fast-evolving world, where we need to help our members and the broader business community navigate new realities.
The Changing World of Work
8. The rapid progress of Generative AI is transforming everything from how businesses operate, to how employees contribute at work.
9. In a world where change is constant, every business must reimagine itself with courage and clarity. We must harness the power of AI – responsibly, intelligently and with purpose. Only then can we unlock new frontiers of productivity and innovation, ensuring that technology remains our greatest servant, not our master. Hence today’s theme – “Forging the Future of Work Together”.
Looking Ahead to Today’s Discussions
10. To deepen our conversation and expand our horizon on how AI is shaping the future of work, we are honoured to have with us Dr He Zhengyu, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Ant Group, who will deliver our keynote address on how AI can be harnessed to transform businesses.
11. His address will be followed by a fireside chat, and later a panel discussion featuring esteemed experts from business and academia, who will share their perspectives on how employers can adapt and thrive in this new era.
Conclusion
12. Thank you, DPM Gan, for taking time from your very busy schedule – especially as you continue your efforts to support businesses here in Singapore amidst the challenging global trade environment – to grace this occasion as our Guest of Honour, and for your steadfast support of employers and tripartism. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to our Tripartite Partners, members and friends who have journeyed with SNEF over the past 45 years. Your partnership is the foundation of our shared success.
13. We shape the future every time we choose innovation, creativity and imagination… over fear. This builds strong businesses and a skilled, resilient workforce. We must not be observers of the future, but as architects to forge the future of work we want to see.
14. Thank you.
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