SINGAPORE, Sept. 21 -- Retrenchments in Singapore climbed to their highest level since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, with layoffs rising sharply in the second quarter of 2026 amid continued business restructuring.

SCMP reported that according to the Manpower Ministry's latest labour market report, 4,620 workers were retrenched between April and June, up from 3,830 in the first quarter. This marks the highest quarterly figure since late 2020, when the pandemic triggered widespread job cuts.

The ministry attributed the rise primarily to business reorganisation and restructuring, rather than cost-cutting or company closures.

While the report did not detail sector-specific breakdowns, the ministry noted that firms are adjusting work...