The income of low-wage workers for the 10th percentile rises to $1,800

Choo also asked about the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) range.

“Currently, as many as nine out of ten full-time, lower-wage workers benefit from the Progressive Wage Model, Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) and the Progressive Wage Mark accreditation programme,” MOM said in a response.

About five in 10 full-time resident workers earning $1,800 or less are covered by PWM, MOM added. Another three in 10 are covered by LQS, which raises their salaries from less than $1,600 to at least $1,600.

“In a tight labour market, workers who are not directly covered by PWM or LQS should also expect their wages to increase as companies compete for labour,” MOM said.

Progressive Wage Model in Singapore

PWM is a government initiative to help raise workers’ wages by upskilling and improving productivity. It covers resident workers in nine sectors and professions.