The Singapore Turf Club, a prominent institution known for horse racing, is set to close its doors by March 2027.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development, Indranee Rajah, spoke about the closure in Parliament on 3 July, sharing that the decision to close down the Turf Club was not an easy one to make.
She said that Singapore, with its small size and land constraints, continually reviews land use plans to accommodate present and future needs.
The demand for more land, particularly for housing purposes, has been increasing, posing challenges for the allocation of limited space. Simultaneously, local horse racing has witnessed a decline in spectatorship, prompting a reassessment of the Turf Club’s long-term viability.
With these factors in mind, the government made the difficult decision to redevelop the Singapore Turf Club to better serve the country’s evolving needs.
Affected workers
The closure of the Singapore Turf Club will have implications for two groups of workers: those employed directly by the turf club and those employed by trainers. A
pproximately 350 employees of the Singapore Turf Club and around 420 workers employed by trainers will be affected by the closure.
a. Turf Club Employees:
To address the concerns of turf club employees, the government has devised a plan to support them during the transition period.
Until October 2024, these employees will continue to be employed by the turf club. Some individuals may stay until the club’s closure in 2027.
Following the cessation of their employment, they will receive retrenchment packages in accordance with the guidelines set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Moreover, the affected employees will receive job placement assistance, career guidance, skills training, and counseling to facilitate their reentry into the workforce. NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) has also extended its support to these employees during this challenging phase.
b. Trainers’ Employees:
The turf club recognizes its responsibility towards workers employed by trainers and aims to collaborate with their employers to provide support during the transition. Efforts will be made to facilitate employment, provide skills training, and offer career counseling to these employees.
Furthermore, equestrian entities are prepared to offer job opportunities to some of these individuals, alleviating the potential impact of the closure on their livelihoods.