Debated in Parliament on 25 Feb 2013.
Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Acting Minister for Manpower what plans does the Tripartite Committee for Low-Wage Workers and Inclusive Growth have to help low-wage workers.
Madam, the Tripartite Committee for Low-wage Workers and Inclusive Growth (TriCom) was set up to help low-wage workers benefit from inclusive growth.
Given the tripartite membership, the TriCom provides not only useful industry insights and ground feedback to facilitate the implementation of initiatives, but also acts as a platform to co-ordinate tripartite efforts. Let me share with Members three key areas in which the TriCom plays an important role.
The first area of work relates to Workfare. Already, the TriCom has provided its inputs to the Government's review of the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) and Workfare Training Support (WTS) schemes. Following the review, the focus
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of the TriCom will turn to promotion and raising awareness of WTS so that low-wage workers train and have the opportunity to earn more.
The second aspect of the work is where the TriCom supports the WorkRight campaign launched by MOM and CPF Board to raise awareness of employment rights and improve compliance with the CPF Act and the Employment Act. With its understanding of ground issues, the TriCom can shape and coordinate tripartite efforts to reach out to workers and employers, in order to more effectively raise compliance levels.
Third, the TriCom will continue to promote best sourcing as a means to improve employment standards and working conditions in outsourced sectors such as cleaning and security. Following the release of the revised Tripartite Advisory on Best Sourcing Practices and the accompanying best sourcing guidebook last year, the TriCom will be rolling out a training module under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) system to support companies in implementing best sourcing.
The Tricom's efforts are part of MOM's overall approach to uplifting low-wage workers, which includes raising wages through productivity via the Inclusive Growth Programme, helping displaced workers find work quickly, calibrating our foreign worker policies, taking sector-specific initiatives where tailored interventions are required, and so on. Helping low-wage workers is a priority for the Government, and we are pleased that the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) have been strong partners in this mission. We will continue to seek out ways to improve how we support our low-wage workers.
I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the comprehensive reply. I have one supplementary question. May I know whether the Committee has focused on any industry or sector which is dominated by low-wage workers, to focus our strategies to help these workers earn better pay and also to enjoy better employment terms?
Madam, yes. The TriCom has worked very closely with our tripartite partners to focus on initially two key sectors, one is the cleaning sector, the other is security. I think they have made progress. We can use this experience as we plan ahead to help other low-wage workers in other sectors.
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Are there areas that the Ministry may consider amending or strengthening in the Employment Act to safeguard the interests of low-wage workers, beyond that of pay? Such as in the area of workplace safety, leave and medical coverage by the employers?
Madam, it is known to us that we can be quite effective in dealing with situations or developments in various sectors. In the two sectors I have mentioned earlier – the cleaning sector and the security sector – we have been able to work with the industry and the workers themselves through NTUC and SNEF to help raise awareness of the training opportunities, raise awareness of workers of their rights and obligations of the employers so that the workers' interests, not only in terms of possibilities of prolonged employment and sustained income, but also that their employment rights and working conditions can be improved.
Under the WorkRight initiative, we have been able to work with NTUC to raise awareness among workers. And we work with SNEF, to raise awareness among employers. Amending the Employment Act is a very important matter that cannot be taken lightly because there will be implications on the industry and the economy as a whole. But in future, if there is a need, we can consider it. We will study very carefully. As it is now, I think we are quite happy with the approach that we have taken to work with the various stakeholders and partners in the industry to target certain sectors and industries.
Mdm Speaker, the discussion so far has been on the wages and when we discuss low-wage workers, we all want to increase their wages, in earnest, we do. The unfortunate thing when we discuss about wages is that we are fixated on a numeral, on a figure. What I would find helpful for the wider population as well as those who are interested in this topic is for MOM to list down all the other measures which it takes and implements in order to increase the real wage of the workers. That can be in the form of a Medifund, in the form of Workfare, rental rebates. As a Member of Parliament, I do find that these measures are kicked in and improve lives. MOM could come out with a poster or pamphlet to show all else, besides wages, that is help for the workers.
Madam, I thank the Member for the suggestion. They are very good ideas. We can consider the details in future. But as it is now, we are not just talking about wages. We are talking about the improvement in working conditions and making sure that both the employers and employees understand their rights and obligations respectively. Through the WorkRight
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initiative, we are hoping to bring more workers into the CPF scheme. By having funds in the CPF, the workers will benefit from WIS and they will have savings for old age as well as for medical purposes. So, as it is now, it is quite comprehensive. It is not just raising their wages. It is to bring them into the CPF scheme so that they can benefit from other help schemes that we provide to workers. But we will consider the Member's suggestion in future. As to how much more information can be tagged together so that both workers and employers can understand better their rights and obligations.
Mdm Speaker, I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. NTUC has been advocating the Progressive Wage Model encompassing skills, wages productivity and career elements to help low-wage workers enjoy better wages. Is it possible for the Tripartite Committee to consider working with NTUC to look at sector specific where the Progressive Wage Model can be implemented?
Madam, I will give the Member a short answer: yes.
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