New tripartite standard to improve well-being of lower-wage workers

Singapore

A NEW Tripartite Standard on Advancing Well-being of Lower-Wage Workers will set out good employment practices, while accreditation for the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) will also be introduced.

"Beyond uplifting wages, we also want to encourage our employers to pay more attention to other aspects of the well-being of our lower-wage workers," said Senior Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad at his ministry's Committee of Supply on Monday (Mar 7).

The standards encourage firms to provide better workplace support in areas such as training and career development, rest area provision and mental well-being.

A new Progressive Wage Mark (PW Mark) accreditation will also be rolled out in the second half of 2022 to help consumers identify progressive employers that are supporting lower-wage workers.

This is for employers that pay at least the relevant sectoral or occupational progressive wages to eligible workers, and the local qualifying salary to all other local workers.

Employers that also adopt the new tripartite standards will receive "PW Mark Plus" accreditation. The Singapore Business Federation will administer the PW Mark.

From March 2023, suppliers which are awarded government contracts will have to be accredited with the PW Mark, starting with contracts with larger value.

More details will be announced in the coming months, said Zaqy, adding: "We encourage potential suppliers to apply for and obtain the PW Mark early once it is launched."

There has been "good progress" on the PWM front and we can expect to see "significant progress" in wage outcomes in the coming years for existing PWMs in the cleaning, security, landscape, and lift and escalator sectors, he said.

From 2022 to 2028, entry-level cleaners will see cumulative wage increases of up to 84 per cent, to receive baseline wages of about S$2,400 in 2028.

By early 2023, 234,000 or more than 8 in 10 full-time lower-wage workers will be covered by progressive wages. This is set to rise further to 266,000 or 94 per cent.

Separately, Minister of State for Manpower Gan Siow Huang said households will soon be able to engage migrant domestic workers to look after their children and elderly on a part-time basis under the Household Services Scheme (HSS).

In response to a question on safeguards to ensure that the HSS workers are qualified to provide such services, Gan said that the Manpower Ministry will study industry best practices and conduct engagements with stakeholders such as households and HSS firms to work out implementation details over the next few months.

More broadly, Gan highlighted the need for flexible work arrangements as well as strengthening support for mental health and well being at the workplace.