Salary Guideline Consistency and Impact on Internal Wage Structures, Staff Deployment and Retention Across Social Service Agencies

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Ministry has assessed the extent to which social service agencies are able to apply the prevailing social service sector salary guidelines consistently across both MSF-funded and non-MSF-funded programmes within the same organisation; and (b) whether the Ministry has studied the impact of any such differences on internal wage structures, staff deployment and retention within these agencies.

The Skills and Salary Guidelines published by the National Council of Social Service helps Social Service Agencies (SSAs) attract and retain talent and maintain the sector's competitiveness. We expect SSAs to pay their employees according to the guidelines and ensure fairness in pay structures and salaries. We have found that SSAs generally apply the Guidelines across the job roles in their organisation, regardless of funding source.