On 23 November 2017, the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC) recommended to the Government to increase the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) basic wage floors of all officers starting from 1 January 2019.
Based on the proposal, officers with the security officer rank will receive a total PWM basic wage floor increase of $300 to the current $1,100 in three years from 2019 to 2021. All other ranks above security officer will receive a total PWM wage floor increase of $285 in the same three-year period (see diagram for details).
From 2022 to 2024, all officers will also get an annual increment of at least 3 per cent.
In a media release issued on the same day, the Government accepted the recommendations by the STC.
Union of Security Employees President Hareenderpal Singh said: “The wage review will help with a problem many officers face, which is the wage reset whenever there is a new provider at the worksite. With PWM basic wage floor being increased yearly, officers will have more certainty with their pay.”
Shorter Working Hours
The Government has also agreed to stop issuing overtime exemption (OTE) to security agencies, as recommended by the STC.
From January 2021, officers cannot work beyond 72 hours of overtime per month by law. Currently, the exemption allows them to work up to 95 hours of overtime a month.
The STC also encouraged agencies to transit officers who currently work 12-hour, six-day shifts per week to a “6-5-6-5” (alternating six-day and five-day week) schedule. This will give officers two more rest days in a month.
According to the STC, the reduction of overtime hours may promote better work-life balance for all security officers and attract more new entrants into the industry.
It added that a three-year lead time was necessary to allow buyers to review their operations and manpower needs, given the current shortage of officers in the industry.
One worker who looks forward to the changes is 38-year-old senior security officer Mohamed Alfie Idris.
“The decrease in overtime hours will allow me to spend more time with my family and I will get more rest. That’s what I think officers lack today. The PWM is a good model for officers. It helps to motivate us to take on better roles and progress in our career.
“To attract younger people into the industry, I think it all depends on the benefits of the job. It also depends on the company that you join and how they treat their employees. For me, I’m happy with my employer because they give good benefits and take care of us well,” said Mr Alfie, who works for Metropolis Security Systems.
Wage Range
Additionally, the STC encouraged security agencies to adopt a capped wage range for each rank. This is to move away from a seniority wage structure based on years of experience to one that focuses on skills and productivity.
The wage ranges are as follows: 1.2 of their basic wage for security officers, 1.3 for senior security officers and security supervisors, and 1.5 for senior security supervisors.
Adopting Technology
With the new PWM changes, the STC predicts that the cost for security services will go up dramatically, especially in 2021 when the Government stops issuing the OTE.
“When you reduce the overtime hours, additional manpower will be needed. That is why STC is recommending for service buyers to explore greater use of technology. Hopefully, this will help reduce the reliance on headcount in the long-run,” said STC Chair and NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Zainal Sapari.
CapitaLand Singapore Vice President and Head (Property Services) Alfred Lim, a service buyer and member of STC, said: “We know that currently, security officers work very long hours and we have to do something about it. The security officer’s pay as compared to 2017 will increase by 25 per cent. The increase is dramatic.
“We will have to work with service providers to leverage technology and optimise headcount. This would be the only solution left.”
Association of Certified Security Agencies President Robert Weiner called adopting technology “paramount”. He added that if buyers do not do it, they will find themselves "footing bills that are unsustainable".
“We have a three-year period to start talking, changing mindsets of the buyers and build technology. The use of technology, if nothing else, will maintain cost [for the buyer].”
The STC also urged security agencies to tap into existing Government grants under the Lean Enterprise Development Scheme to help with implementing technology.
Currently, NTUC is working with the Ministry of Manpower to start an initiative called Smart Sourcing, where service buyers can group resources to procure technology.
Raising Awareness
To raise awareness of the upcoming changes in the industry, STC will be organising a series of seminars and briefing sessions for service buyers, agencies, and security officers.
“The engagement with service buyers will be one key focus. I think there is a lot of buy-in from a lot of service providers, but we need to tell the service buyers to change their mindset. This is one big thing we need to do in the next three years,” said ASG Zainal.
