Ng Chee Meng to be appointed Minister in PMO, will return to Cabinet

Labour chief Ng Chee Meng will be appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, reprising his last-held Cabinet position in 2020.

His appointment, part of the latest Cabinet reshuffle announced on Jul. 22, marks his return to Cabinet and government office.

Ng will be serving alongside Indranee Rajah, who herself took on the post of Minister in the Prime Minister's Office in 2018.

He will also continue to serve as the Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

Ng's appointment also means that he will be able to sit in on Cabinet meetings.

The new appointments are due to take effect on Jul. 27, 2026.

Jobs and workforce transformation key government priorities: PM Wong

Commenting on Ng's appointment, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that jobs and workforce transformation are "among the government's highest priorities".

"There is important work ahead for both the government and NTUC, as we help our workers navigate these changes," PM Wong remarked.

"I have therefore asked [Ng] to return to Cabinet. He will strengthen the government team as we tackle the challenges ahead."

When asked by the media what has changed since Ng's request not to join Cabinet last year, PM Wong said that he has since "settled in" to Jalan Kayu, having spent the past year working the ground.

He reiterated that jobs and workplace transformation have also "become a much higher priority" for the government, in the face of which Ng's return would be "timely".

"I felt given the concerns of our economic and workforce challenges we face, it was timely for him to return to the government, to return to cabinet, and contribute not just as Secretary-General of NTUC, but as a minister in my team... So I approached him, and he agreed to do so," Wong said.

'Humbled by this appointment'

In a statement, Ng thanked PM Wong for inviting him to serve in Cabinet and said he was "humbled by this appointment and accept it with a strong sense of responsibility".

He added that over the past year, they have built a "capable team" in Jalan Kayu, and thanked his residents for their trust and encouragement.

"As NTUC Secretary-General and a Cabinet Minister, I will continue to champion better wages, welfare and work prospects for workers. Being in Cabinet means I can work even more closely with the government to support workers and Singapore's progress, alongside unions and employers," he added.

In a separate statement, NTUC said that the central committee members had "understood and accepted" his previous decision to focus on Jalan Kayu, but that they are "heartened" to know that he has since accepted the invitation to join the Cabinet.

"We firmly believe that [Ng's] return to Cabinet will strengthen the voice of workers in national policymaking at a time when Singapore is navigating significant economic transformation, technological disruption and workforce change."

Had asked not to be given government position after GE2025

Following his election during GE2025, Ng had asked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong not to appoint him to a position in government, to allow him to focus on his work as Member of Parliament (MP) in Jalan Kayu SMC.

PM Wong said that he would respect Ng's wishes, but that his exclusion from cabinet as the labour chief would be a "temporary arrangement".

He explained that the "NTUC Secretary-General has traditionally held a position in Cabinet" and that he values the link between the government and the trade union.

"I look forward to having the labour chief being part of the Cabinet before too long," PM Wong also said.