Workers with Special Needs Hired in Progressive Wage Model Sectors

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower (a) annually from 2019 to date, how many employers in the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) sectors have hired workers with special needs/disabilities and what is the number of such workers hired; (b) whether the Ministry has observed any challenges faced by employers in the PWM sectors when hiring individuals with special needs/disabilities, despite exemptions from PWM requirements for persons with disabilities; and (c) whether there are measures to alleviate the administrative burden on these employers who request for exemptions from PWM requirements.

In 2024, across all Progressive Wage Model (PWM) sectors and occupations, about 1,200 employers hire about 3,500 employees with disabilities1.

By default, employers should fulfill the PWM wage and training requirements for their employees with disabilities, as long as they are able to meet the job requirements. Some jobs may need to be redesigned for employees with disabilities to be able to perform them more effectively.

Employers who need support to do so can approach SG Enable and register for the Open Door Programme. The Open Door Programme helps employers hire, train and integrate their employees with disabilities. Employers will be assisted by dedicated consultants and various grants, such as the Job Redesign Grant and the Training Grant. They can also tap on SG Enable’s recruitment programmes to hire persons with disabilities.

In addition, employers currently receive a wage subsidy under the Enabling Employment Credit of up to 20% for each eligible employee with disabilities earning below $4,000 a month. Employers who hire eligible persons with disabilities who have not been working for at least six months will receive an additional time-limited wage subsidy of up to 20%.

Notwithstanding these efforts, we recognise that some employers may need to adjust the roles of their employees with disabilities to better match their abilities. Their wages may also need to be calibrated to reflect their modified responsibilities.

Employers can appeal to SG Enable to waive the PWM wage or training requirements for these employees. To date, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Manpower have not received feedback from employers with regard to seeking PWM exemptions for their employees with disabilities.

The appeal process is made simple. Employers can do so online and will receive the outcomes of their appeal within 15 working days after registering for the Open Door Programme and submitting the completed appeal documents to SG Enable. SG Enable will also work with these employers to provide the necessary support to assist their employees.