Progressive Wage Model (PWM) is the brainchild of Lim Swee Say

Let's understand.

Mr Lim Swee Say designed the PWM because he really cares for the low wage worker. He described it as a 4-in-1 model.

He believes that low wage worker must be paid decent wages and that's the minimum. However, he did not want the minimum wage to stagnate and become the maximum wage for the worker.

He believes that workers CAN upskill and become more productive. He believes that even low wage worker CAN have career progression.

The PWM was birthed out of his convictions.

So you see, the minimum wage has been with us since 2012. It is not a universal or national minimum wage. It is a sectoral minimum. A sectoral min wage is carefully negotiated in consultation with all stakeholders. It is thus not set at an arbitrary level. It is set at a sustainable level without loss of employment.

Please share with others what you learn so that all can better appreciate the amount of efforts made to uplift our low wage workers. The effort is a never-ending one.

If all that you propose is a minimum wage to help low wage workers, then you just want to be popular without the hard work.

If all that you propose is a minimum wage to help low wage workers, then you just want to be popular without the hard work.

We already have the sectoral minimum wage in the Progressive Wage Models which already cover the cleaning, security, landscape, lift and elevator sector. It will be extended to the waste management sector, food sector, F&B and retail sectors. Proposal for the waste management sector was already submitted last year.

A blanket minimum wage across all sectors is not only arbitrary, it will result in a flattening of wages for workers. It's bad from the perspectives of motivation and reward for upgrading one's skills.

Progressive Wage Model is hard work. It is a sustainable way to raise wages without loss of work. It is minimum wage with maximum employment.

Helping the low wage workers is more than just about wages. It requires a holistic approach across multiple agencies. And that is also hard work.