SINGAPORE — When logistics executive Azree Aslan was told he had been retrenched in April 2025, he had about 30 minutes left in the working day.«You don't have time to let it sink in,» said the 37-year-old, recalling the eventful day.With a young family to support, he learnt about the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme only a few days later and applied for it, which provided financial relief.His experience reflects a wider debate now unfolding over whether companies should be required to notify the authorities and unions before retrenching workers, rather than after layoffs have already been announced.The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is pushing for advance notice, but the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) warned that the proposal carries «significant implementation challenges and uncertain benefits».The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said it will review NTUC's proposal as part of a broader relook of the Employment Act.Under current MOM rules, employers with at least 10 employees must notify the ministry within five days after retrenching workers, regardless of the number affected.  Read more