I’ve read the article about Singapore’s upcoming general election in 2025 (GE2025). The piece outlines the positions of the three parties currently represented in Parliament – the People’s Action Party (PAP), the Workers’ Party (WP), and the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) – on key issues facing Singapore.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ge2025-where-political-parties-here-stand-on-the-key-issues

The article covers several major topics that appear to be central to the election:

1. Revenue and Public Finances – The parties have fundamental differences on how the government should collect and spend public funds, as highlighted by debates over the GST hike.
2. Cost of living pressures – With global inflation remaining a concern, all three parties have proposed measures to keep prices in check for Singaporeans.
3. Housing Affordability – Construction delays during the COVID-19 pandemic led to higher home prices, creating anxiety among prospective homeowners. The parties have proposed different solutions to keep housing accessible.
4. Foreign talent policies – While all parties agree that Singapore needs foreign workers, they differ on the numbers, appropriate roles, and safeguards to ensure that Singaporeans can thrive in the workforce.

The article also mentions “harsh new global realities” that Singapore voters need to consider, referencing changes in the international order and specifically noting the first 10 weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency.

Analysis of Singapore GE2025 Policy Positions by Party

Based on the article provided, I’ll analyse the key policy positions of the three parties currently represented in Singapore’s Parliament—the People’s Action Party (PAP), Workers’ Party (WP), and Progress Singapore Party (PSP)—as they approach the 2025 General Election.

Revenue and Public Finances

The article indicates fundamental differences between the parties on fiscal policy, particularly highlighted in their approaches to taxation and government spending.

PAP (Ruling Party)

While specific details aren’t fully elaborated in the article, the PAP, as the governing party, implemented the GST hike that was first announced in 2018. They likely defend this as necessary for sustaining Singapore’s long-term financial needs, especially given aging population challenges and infrastructure investment requirements.

Workers’ Party

The WP appears to have opposed either the necessity, timing, or extent of the GST increase during parliamentary debates in November 2022. This aligns with their historical position of questioning consumption tax increases that might disproportionately affect lower-income households.

Progress Singapore Party

The PSP also contested aspects of the GST hike during parliamentary debates. From their previous policy positions, they likely favor alternative revenue sources that place less burden on ordinary Singaporeans.

Cost of Living

With global inflation remaining high since 2022 due to the Ukraine war and ongoing supply chain disruptions, cost of living has become a critical election issue.

The article mentions all three parties have put forward proposals to address cost of living pressures, though it doesn’t detail the specific nature of each party’s approach. Based on their historical positions:

• PAP likely emphasizes targeted support measures and subsidies rather than price controls
• WP may focus on addressing income inequality and supporting vulnerable households
• PSP might propose more direct interventions on essential goods pricing or additional relief measures

Housing Affordability

Construction delays during the COVID-19 pandemic led to higher home prices, creating significant concerns among Singaporeans about housing accessibility.

Areas of Parliamentary Debate:

• How to keep public housing affordable
• Ensuring timely access to housing for young families
• Balancing housing as both a home and an investment

While the article doesn’t outline each party’s specific housing proposals, they likely differ on:

• The appropriate level of government intervention in the housing market
• How to manage housing supply
• The balance between housing affordability and asset appreciation for existing homeowners

Foreign Talent and Workforce Policies

All three parties acknowledge Singapore’s need for foreign talent, but differ significantly on:

1. Appropriate numbers: The quota or proportion of foreign workers in different sectors
2. Eligible roles: Which positions should prioritize local hires versus being open to foreigners
3. Protective measures: Safeguards needed to ensure Singaporeans have fair opportunities

The article notes that the last five years have seen significant changes to Singapore’s foreign talent framework, alongside measures to improve the local workforce’s capabilities and competitiveness.

Likely Positions:

• PAP: Pragmatic approach that balances economic needs with local workforce protection
• WP: Stronger safeguards for local workers while maintaining economic openness
• PSP: More restrictive foreign talent policies with greater emphasis on local employment

Global Context

The article frames these policy debates against a backdrop of significant global uncertainty, referencing changes in the international order and specifically noting Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency. This suggests Singapore’s response to shifting geopolitical realities may also factor into voter considerations.

These policy differences reflect deeper philosophical divergences on Singapore’s economic model, social contract, and future direction—making GE2025 not just a contest for parliamentary seats but a meaningful debate about Singapore’s path forward.

Analysis: AI’s Influence on Worker Protection Issues in Singapore’s GE2025

The emergence of AI technologies creates a new dimension to worker protection concerns that political parties are likely to address in Singapore’s upcoming general election. While the article doesn’t explicitly mention AI’s impact on workforce policies, this represents a significant emerging issue that intersects with the foreign talent and workforce protection debates already mentioned.

Potential AI-Related Worker Protection Themes in GE2025

Economic Disruption and Job Displacement

Political parties will likely position themselves on how to protect Singaporean workers from AI-driven disruption:

• PAP may emphasize its forward-looking policies like SkillsFuture and industry transformation maps, arguing that government-led reskilling initiatives will help workers adapt to AI changes while maintaining Singapore’s economic competitiveness.
• WP could advocate for stronger social safety nets and unemployment protection specifically designed for AI-displaced workers, potentially proposing more comprehensive transition programs or income support mechanisms.
• PSP might take a more protective stance, potentially calling for regulations on how quickly and extensively companies can implement AI systems that replace human workers.

AI and Foreign Talent Policy Intersection

The existing foreign talent debate will likely gain new dimensions with AI considerations:

1. Skills Gap Questions: Parties may differ on whether Singapore should import foreign AI talent while building local capabilities or prioritize developing homegrown expertise first.
2. AI Jobs Protection: As high-value AI roles emerge, questions about who gets access to these opportunities will become politically sensitive:
   • Should Singapore implement quotas for locals in AI roles?
   • How can policies prevent companies from bypassing local hiring by implementing AI solutions developed offshore?
3. Mid-career Transitions: The parties may propose different approaches to helping PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians) whose roles are vulnerable to AI automation.

Regulatory Frameworks

Political positioning around AI regulation as it relates to workers could include:

• Algorithmic Management Protections: Policies regarding AI systems that manage, evaluate, or make decisions about workers
• AI Transparency Requirements: Rules forcing companies to disclose how AI is used in hiring, promotion, and termination decisions
• Human-in-the-loop Mandates: Requirements for human oversight of AI systems in critical employment decisions

How Each Party Might Approach AI Worker Protection

People’s Action Party (PAP)

The PAP might frame AI as primarily an opportunity that requires preparation, rather than a threat that requires protection. Their positioning could emphasize:

• Continued investment in workforce development programs specifically targeting AI-relevant skills
• Creating a business-friendly regulatory environment that allows AI innovation while implementing basic safeguards
• Promoting Singapore as an AI hub that creates high-value jobs for Singaporeans

This would align with their historically pragmatic approach to economic transformation.

Workers’ Party (WP)

The WP could position themselves as defenders of worker interests in the face of AI disruption:

• Proposing stronger protections against arbitrary AI-driven terminations
• Advocating for transparency in how companies implement AI
• Calling for wealth redistribution mechanisms to ensure AI economic benefits are shared widely
• Pushing for stronger representation of worker interests in AI policy formation

Progress Singapore Party (PSP)

Given their previous emphasis on Singaporean-first employment policies, the PSP might:

• Call for strict regulations on AI implementation in sectors with high Singaporean employment
• Propose policies that require companies to retrain affected local workers before implementing AI solutions
• Advocate for disclosure requirements when AI systems replace jobs previously held by Singaporeans

Strategic Electoral Considerations

All parties will need to carefully balance economic pragmatism with worker protection:

1. Winning the PMETs: Middle-class professionals concerned about AI disruption represent a crucial voting bloc, particularly in contested constituencies.
2. Avoiding Anti-Innovation Perception: No party wants to appear anti-technology or backward-looking, requiring nuanced positioning.
3. Generational Divide: Younger voters may view AI opportunities differently than older workers concerned about displacement.
4. SME Concerns: Small business owners may worry about AI compliance costs, creating tension between worker protection and business interests.

The party that can articulate a compelling vision for Singapore’s AI future that balances innovation with protection for Singaporean workers may gain significant electoral advantage in GE2025.

Singapore’s AI Policy Orientation and Its Implications

Singapore’s Pro-AI Stance

Singapore has positioned itself as strongly pro-AI in its national strategy and policy framework. While the provided article doesn’t directly address Singapore’s AI policies, broader context suggests Singapore has embraced AI as a strategic priority for several reasons:

Economic Transformation Driver

• Singapore has deliberately cultivated an AI-friendly ecosystem to maintain its competitive edge as a global business hub
• The government has made significant investments in AI research, development, and adoption across sectors.
• AI is viewed as essential to productivity growth in a small nation with limited human resource.s

Strategic Policy Initiatives

Singapore has implemented several key AI initiatives:

• National AI Strategy launched in 2019 with substantial updates since
• AI Singapore program to drive research and commercialization
• Regulatory sandboxes to facilitate responsible AI innovation
• Significant public investment in AI talent development

How Singapore’s Pro-AI Stance Affects Policy Areas

Foreign Talent Policies

Singapore’s AI ambitions directly impact its approach to foreign talent:

1. Talent Acquisition vs. Local Protection Tension
   • Singapore needs to attract global AI talent to build its ecosystem
   • Simultaneously faces political pressure to ensure Singaporeans benefit from AI opportunities
   • This creates a policy balancing act mentioned in the article regarding “safeguards needed so that Singaporeans get a fair shot”
2. Specialized Visa Programs
   • The government has implemented tech-focused talent attraction schemes
   • These may become electoral issues as parties debate appropriate qualification thresholds

Workforce Development

Singapore’s AI orientation shapes its workforce policies:

1. Reskilling Initiatives
   • Significant investment in programs to prepare workers for an AI-transformed economy
   • Different political perspectives on whether these programs are sufficient or appropriately targeted
2. Education Reform
   • Increasing emphasis on computational thinking and AI literacy in education
   • Political debates about balancing technical skills with broader capabilities

Social Safety Nets

Singapore’s aggressive AI adoption creates pressure to reconsider social protections:

1. Transitional Support
   • Questions about the adequacy of support for workers displaced by AI
   • Political differences on whether existing programs can handle AI-driven disruption
2. Inequality Considerations
   • Concerns that AI benefits may accrue primarily to highly-skilled workers and capital owners
   • Creates pressure for redistributive policies that parties will position differently on

Electoral Implications for GE2025

Each party will likely frame Singapore’s AI-forward stance differently:

PAP (People’s Action Party)

Likely to emphasise:

• Their forward-looking AI investments as evidence of good governance
• Success stories of Singaporeans benefiting from AI economy
• Pragmatic approach balancing innovation with careful regulation

Workers’ Party

Might focus on:

• Ensuring AI benefits are distributed equitably
• Strengthening protections for workers affected by AI transitions
• Calling for broader stakeholder involvement in AI policy decisions

Progress Singapore Party

Could emphasise:

• Concerns about AI exacerbating dependency on foreign talent
• Questions about whether Singapore is moving too quickly with AI adoption
• Proposals to ensure Singaporeans retain primacy in high-value AI roles

Singapore’s Distinctive Approach

Singapore’s AI policy approach differs from other countries in several ways:

1. Centralized Coordination
   • The government plays a significant directing role in the development of the AI ecosystem.
   • Enables coherent strategy but raises questions about democratic oversight
2. Pragmatic Regulation
   • Focus on enabling innovation while managing risks
   • Balanced approach compared to more restrictive EU or more laissez-faire US models
3. Small Nation Advantage/Disadvantage
   • Size allows for agile policy experimentation
   • Limited domestic market necessitates an international orientation

Singapore’s strongly pro-AI stance creates both opportunities and tensions that will shape policy debates in the upcoming election. All parties recognise AI’s importance to Singapore’s future, but differ on how to ensure the benefits are shared widely while managing disruption to Singaporean workers.

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