I refer to the letter by Mr Cheng Shoong Tat (“Progressive wage model not for all”; 20 Feb).
The Labour Movement believes the concept of improving skills, productivity, job and wages is relevant and applicable to all workers and all sectors. Hence my call in Parliament on Monday (17 Feb) for the widespread adoption of the progressive wage model. However, this does not mean that the adoption of this wage model will be made mandatory across all sectors.
The progressive wage model is best adopted in a voluntary manner with the exception of certain sectors which are plagued by low wages and skills, and cheap sourcing. This is why the Labour Movement has called for mandatory licensing and adoption of the progressive wage model for only three specific sectors for a start: cleaning, security and landscaping. This is to ensure that workers in these sectors not only get a more decent starting pay based on skills, productivity and job scope, but also have a better progression pathway by making them more skilful and their jobs easier, safer and smarter.
Patrick Tay Teck Guan
Assistant Secretary-General
National Trades Union Congress
