There has been encouraging progress so far in urging unionised companies in Singapore to adopt the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), which aims to prepare both companies and workers to be future-ready.
Giving an overview of the PWM at an inaugural half-day seminar held at the Devan Nair Institute of Employment and Employability on 12 November 2014 with the theme ‘Optimising Manpower for Profitable Growth’, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Cham Hui Fong said that so far, close to 270 companies across 12 clusters have come on board the PWM ladder.
The target now is to achieve at least 50% of unionised companies by the end of 2015.
Four-In-One
The PWM unveiled in June 2012 is a four-in-one strategy that combines skills upgrading, productivity improvement, career advancement and wage progression.
It aims to help companies make better use of manpower, enhance the Singaporean core and enable workers to earn more that commensurate with larger job scopes through job redesign and skills upgrading.
“What we are putting forth is we want both employers and employees to work together, to challenge how they can do things differently moving forward and ensure there is win-win for all where businesses will continue to grow in a sustainable and responsible manner and workers will continue to enjoy good wage increases to ensure there is sustained productivity improvement,” said ASG Cham.
PWM For All
The seminar also sought to dispel the impression held by some that the Progressive Wage Model is only for low wage workers.
NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say explained: “PWM is for all levels of workers, because the issue of skills upgrading and productivity enhancement, career development and wage progression applies to all workers whether you are an engineer, technician or professional.
“Some may think that the only purpose of PWM is for NTUC to drive up wages. From today's session, the answer is clear. PWM is a four in one ladder. Yes we want wages to go up but at the same time this is accompanied by skills and productivity, so it is a balanced approach.”
The Progressive Wage Model has so far been implemented in sectors benefitting PMEs in hospitality, healthcare and petroleum and in the cleaning and security industries to help low wage workers improve their lot.
Source: NTUC This Week
