Speech by Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, at the TAA 2025 Presentation Ceremony

14 Nov 2025Speeches

Brother Bob Tan,

Chairperson, Tripartite Alliance Limited,

Sister K Thanaletchimi

President, National Trades Union Congress,

Brother Ng Chee Meng,

Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress,

Brother Tan Hee Teck,

President, Singapore National Employers Federation,

1. Good evening. It is a privilege to join you tonight as we celebrate the very best of Singapore's employers, and to reflect on how far we have come in creating better workplaces for all.
2. The 43 organisations we are honouring tonight have demonstrated true leadership in championing for their people’s wellbeing and growth. They understand that workers from different backgrounds and life stages have different needs, and have made it a priority to support these diverse needs.

    

   Championing Age-Inclusive Practices

3. Even as Singapore’s workforce matures, many seniors would like to continue contributing meaningfully at work. Companies that take steps to support the aspirations of senior workers, and develop their capabilities, will gain a competitive edge. Dementia Singapore, one of the Award winners this evening, has raised their retirement and re-employment ages to 65 and 70 in 2021, nine years ahead of the legislative requirement to do so by 2030. Nearly one in five of their staff are over 60. A concerted effort to redesign jobs allowed Dementia Singapore to move on this front with confidence. For example, they redesigned physically intensive care roles by assigning two staff to clients requiring lifting and toileting support. This made such roles more manageable for senior workers. Supporting senior workers is not a daunting task, as they have demonstrated, and I believe that all companies can take small steps just to make a good start. Dementia Singapore introduced simple practical measures such as providing protective belts to help older care staff to safeguard their lower backs when lifting clients.

   Vasanthy is one such employee who has benefitted from the company’s age-inclusive policies. She joined Dementia Singapore when she was in her 50s, and with the company’s support, she was promoted to Senior Nursing Aide in 2024, when she was 61 years old. Her story is a good reminder that when people feel respected and supported, they do their best at work.

4. Similarly, Maybank Singapore has taken concrete steps to build an age-inclusive workplace. It is the first bank in Singapore to include re-employment terms in their Collective Agreement, a signal of its commitment to help its senior workers stay active and continue contributing. Today, hiring based on experience and skills should be a common practice. Maybank takes it a step further – I was told their job ads and application forms don’t ask candidates for their age. Their interviewers come from diverse age ranges and are trained to assess candidates fairly based on the Tripartite Guidelines.
5. Having spent 32 years with Maybank, Sharon now mentors younger colleagues who are just starting their careers. She shared how their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives often inspire her to see things differently, while her experience helps guide them in navigating challenges. This exchange of ideas across generations, she says, is what makes the workplace more inclusive and dynamic.
6. Dementia Singapore and Maybank show us that age is not a limit, but a source of strength. With the right support and opportunities, senior workers can flourish and continue to make real, meaningful impact in our workplaces.

    

   Work-Life Excellence as a Business Strategy

7. As our population ages and families become smaller, many more of us have to juggle work with our caregiving as well as other personal responsibilities. By helping their employees achieve work-life harmony, companies also benefit from improved performance, stronger loyalty, and higher retention.
8. The most effective work-life strategies are championed from the top. At Starbucks Coffee Singapore, senior leaders have built a culture where employees feel empowered to have conversations with their managers on flexible work arrangements (FWAs). They come together, have discussions and arrive at a mutually beneficial position. For instance, Shift Supervisor Rohana discussed with her manager and worked out a schedule that enables Rohana to carry out her work responsibilities effectively while, at the same time, also caring for her family. Her experience reflects how supportive leadership and trust-based dialogue can make FWAs a win-win arrangement. Starbucks’ people-first approach has translated into exceptional business outcomes, including a turnover rate of 2.3% in 2024.

   
   Future-Proofing through Upskilling and Continuous Growth

9. As the economic and technological cycles get shorter, helping our workforce build the skills they need for the future is more important than ever. Organisations that prioritise continuous learning ensure their employees can adapt to change, seize new opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to their teams and the broader economy.
10. Securus, a security firm, shows that SMEs can also take bold, structured steps to future-proof their workforce. Through its comprehensive learning framework, Securus provides employees with access to both in-house and external training platforms. Staff are encouraged to pursue external certifications, supported by study leave and sponsorships. Securus also runs a structured Leadership Development Programme that identifies and nurtures emerging leaders through mentorship, coaching, and leadership workshops. These efforts have built a strong internal talent pipeline and fostered a culture of lifelong learning across all levels. One fine example is Ragavan, who is here with us this evening. He joined Securus six years ago. Through the company’s Leadership Development Programme, he built strong people-management and client-engagement capabilities. Today, he serves as a Service Quality Manager, overseeing operational performance and driving service improvements across sites.
11. When organisations like Securus foster a culture of continuous learning, they not only improve capabilities, but also strengthen their people’s confidence in meeting future challenges.

     

    Conclusion

12. I shared with you three examples of how companies can adapt and learn from such practices to improve their competitive advantage. I illustrated three key points:
    1. When companies respect that age is not a barrier. With age comes experiential wisdom, intuition and instinct that can be imparted to younger colleagues within their organisations.
    2. When the company can adopt FWA, they have a wider access to talent and manpower across the entire economy.
    3. Given all the disruptions and accelerated pace of change, the spirit of lifelong learning – including upskilling and reskilling – would have to be a strong culture within the company and within everyone.

    If you can adopt these three strategic thrusts, half the battle is won.

13. Dementia Singapore, Maybank, Starbucks and Securus are among the 43 winners of this year’s Tripartite Alliance Award.
14. These winners share a common belief that success begins with their people. They lead with trust, invest in growth, and create workplaces where people can contribute meaningfully. Their experiences show that when organisations care for their workers, they don’t just build stronger teams, they build lasting and sustainable success.
15. The growing number of progressive employers reflects our tripartite spirit and the shared belief that progress is best achieved when employers, unions, and the Government work collectively together to uplift our workforce and strengthen our economy.
16. Together, I hope that everyone here can go out and amplify the message on the solidarity that tripartism brings; and that we will all continue to champion workplaces where every individual has the opportunity to contribute, grow, and thrive. To borrow the motto from my brothers and sisters from the Labour Movement, that every worker matters.
17. Congratulations once again to all the winners, and I wish everyone a pleasant evening.