Singapore reshuffles its Cabinet, with Jasmin Lau taking over as acting Manpower Minister
Singapore has appointed Jasmin Lau as its new acting Minister for Manpower, who pledged to prioritise workers' ability to adapt to a rapidly changing, technology-driven labour market.
Lau was appointed to the role as part of a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on July 22, 2026, with all appointments taking effect from 27 July.
She was simultaneously promoted to Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, having previously served as Minister of State for Education as well as Digital Development and Information.
Lau's appointment follows Tan See Leng's move to the newly constituted Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, where he will serve as Minister for Energy and Industry.
Also joining MOM starting 1 September is Foo Cexiang, who was appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Lau's priorities at MOM
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Lau said the ministry has a clear obligation to support both workers and businesses through technological change.
"This will mean looking at how we uplift our workers in the most vulnerable segments, helping Singaporeans cope with more frequent career transitions, and also ensuring that lifelong learning is genuinely accessible and relevant," she said, as quoted by Channel NewsAsia (CNA).
Lau said her priorities span workers at every stage of their careers, from young Singaporeans entering the workforce for the first time, to mid-career adults balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, to older workers who wish to continue contributing.
She added that she would also monitor retirement adequacy to ensure Singaporeans can face their later years with confidence.
The new acting minister drew on her background in both education and technology policy, saying her previous portfolios had given her insight into workers' anxieties about artificial intelligence and the concerns of younger Singaporeans about to enter the job market, according to the CNA report.
"I think that gives me quite a good overall understanding of what needs to be done going forward," she said.
Lau also noted a natural link between her education portfolio and her new manpower brief, describing skills training and employment as "part of the same story."
A former civil servant who held roles across the health, finance and manpower ministries, Lau had previously worked at MOM from 2008 to 2010. She said the workforce landscape has shifted considerably since then, and that she intends to spend time listening to colleagues, workers, employers and union leaders before charting her course.
Paying tribute to her predecessor Tan, Lau acknowledged he had left "big shoes to fill."
"I intend to spend time really listening to colleagues at MOM, to workers, to employers and to union leaders. I'm grateful to the prime minister for entrusting me with this goal, and I'm ready to do my best," she said, as quoted by CNA.
