Jasmin Lau on GovTech's workfoce transformation and layoffs

GovTech had anticipated the need to reshape its workforce and invested heavily in pilots and apprenticeships to retrain existing staff for new roles or to redeploy them. But there are limits to its pace and scale and it cannot avoid having to transition out some officers. Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Jasmin Lau, who said this in reply to parliamentary questions on Tuesday (Aug 4), stressed that the government will support the officers fully. The first phase will affect 305 officers - 102 have been retained or redeployed, 110 are being supported through job conversion and apprenticeship pathways, and 93 are being retrenched. GovTech, which is working to facilitate job matching and referrals, will take the same approach in subsequent phases. As the plans for subsequent phases firm up, GovTech will inform the affected officers on the timelines and implications, as well as work closely with agencies to ensure that critical projects and public digital services remain supported during the transition.