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.

Still want a minimum wage of $1300 when you can earn at least $1850?

The Progressive Wage Model for the fourth cluster, the Lift and Escalator cluster, will be phased in in stages.

Here's how it looks like.

Still want a $1300 minimum wage? That's what you will get if it is the legislated national minimum wage.

The Progressive Wage Model is sector-based. The minimum wage in the model is sector specific. This allows the minimum wage to be set differently according to each sector.

The set of skills required in different sectors is different and therefore wages will also be different.

The minimum wage in the PWM is set through consultation and negotiation among tripartite partners, taking into account all needs and sustainability.

Wages are tied to productivity. They are determined by output and decided by employers. A more productive worker will be paid more.

It really does not make sense for a third party - politicians - to decide arbitrarily by themselves, what a suitable wage should be. That's an unbalanced equation.

If you're in the lift and escalator sector, you wouldn't want $1300 when you can earn at least $1850.

A minimum wage of $1300? Under the PWM, workers are already earning that and MORE.

A minimum wage of $1300? Under the PWM, workers are already earning that and MORE.

The 3 clusters - cleaning, security, landscape - together have benefitted more than 78,000 workers.

Be progressive. Why support a $1300 min wage when you can earn more than that?

If such a min wage policy is adopted, your wages will come down to that minimum. Is that what you wish?

Stop talking about the minimum wage

If the Workers' Party feels strongly about a minimum wage, it should move beyond a critique of outcomes to examining the merits and demerits of the policy measures to help the poor and address inequality. Show why these policies are inadequate and propose alternatives.

Singaporeans are not ideologically fixated, so if a better policy solution can be found, we will do the right and pragmatic thing to help citizens live a better life.

Jamus Lim shamelessly takes credit for Progressive Wage Model

 

Cockadoodledoo!

The Progressive Wage Model will still be around if the cock forgets to crow.

The Progressive Wage Model has been in Singapore for much longer than Jamus' return from overseas.

It's been around since 2012 and expanding. Jamus came back only in 2018.

In Feb this year at the Committee of Supply debate, Minister Zaqy Mohamad had announced the expansion of the model to other sectors to create a virtuous cycle where companies that voluntarily pay progressive wages and provide job progression pathways to their lower-wage workers, are recognised and rewarded by consumers who support them by purchasing their products or services.

"We will not stop at these four clusters, and intend to expand the PWM to more sectors," affirmed Minister Zaqy in February.

He revealed that MOM was actively working with tripartite partners to explore how to expand the PWM in new sectors and with a new approach. More will be shared once the economic climate and business conditions are more favourable.

That was in February.

Minimum Wage Plus is not anything new.

It is just another name for Progressive Wage Model.

Everyone knows that the Progressive Wage Model has a minimum wage feature incorporated into it. Everyone, that is, except Jamus.

Why PLUS?

PLUS: steps of progression to earn more than the minimum through enhanced and skills training.

Hence, Minimum Wage Plus or progressive wages.

Nothing has shifted. The Government has been marching forward with the Progressive Wage Model.

What has been on display is Jamus' unabashed showmanship, the form without the substance.

Jamus Lim's universal progressive wage model

Jamus Lim proves to be an inattentive listener as well.

No, the MInister did not refer to a universal Progressive Wage Model.

Because there is no 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 Progressive Wage Model.

There is a progressive wage model. The progressive wage model is also known as 'Minimum Wage Plus'.

Minimum Wage Plus is not a new thing. It was started in 2012. It is the Progressive Wage Model. It is not universal. It is sectoral-based.

Well, sometimes failing to listen carefully and getting it wrong can warm the cockles of your own heart.