German-Singaporean exchange on securing the supply of skilled labour against the backdrop of demographic change

A high-level delegation, consisting of representatives of the Singaporean government and social partners, visited the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on 30 October 2025. The aim of the visit was to discuss questions related to securing the supply of skilled labour against the backdrop of demographic change. The Senior Minister of State at the Singaporean Ministry of Manpower, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, the Deputy Secretary-General of the NTUC trade union, Desmond Tan, the Vice-President of the Singaporean Employers' Federation, Tan Hwee Bin and other members of the delegation learned about Germany's approaches to securing the supply of workers and skilled labour and the cooperation between the government and social partners in Germany.

“In terms of securing the supply of workers and skilled labour, Germany and Singapore are facing similar challenges in the face of ageing societies and the transformation of the world of work. I am glad that I had the opportunity to discuss these important topics with the high-level delegation, headed by State Minister Dr. Koh Poh Koon. I am particularly pleased that the Singaporean side came to Germany as a tripartite delegation, including representatives of the government and the social partners. The model of social partnership is a main pillar of our social market economy and our democracy and has proven to be successful in Germany for decades”, said State Secretary Lilian Tschan.

At the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the delegation discussed the concrete measures and programmes of the Ministry in the fields of securing the supply of skilled labour and continuing education and training with State Secretary Lilian Tschan. The discussion focused on ways how to increase the labour force participation of older workers. On the one hand, this involves adjustments to the overall environment such as gradually raising the retirement age, but on the other hand, it also involves specific instruments that make it easier for older workers to continue working voluntarily after reaching the standard retirement age. Both sides agreed that statutory incentives alone were not sufficient. Another decisive factor is the ageing-appropriate design of working conditions in companies. That is why the Federal Government supports the New Quality of Work Initiative (INQA), a joint initiative of the social partners. Among other things, INQA supports companies in creating conducive working conditions for older workers.