May Day 2024: 4 ways Singapore continues to support all groups of workers

“We must continue to sustain tripartism as Singapore’s competitive advantage and work hand-in-hand to create a brighter future for Singapore and Singaporeans,” Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng commented.

In his 2024 May Day message, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng celebrated the unity of the workforce and the relationship amongst unions, employers and the Government. 

"This year, I am again filled with gratitude for our longstanding and remarkable tripartism, which has enabled us to come together to set a clear course forward in a world fraught with uncertainties."

Emphasising the value of working with trust and in collaboration, he noted the need to be "fully cognisant that we are the exception to the norm."

He cited how industrial relations in many countries have become more adversarial, leading to poorer outcomes for workers, employers, and even affecting the well-being of the society at large. 

“We must continue to sustain tripartism as Singapore’s competitive advantage and work hand-in-hand to create a brighter future for Singapore and Singaporeans.” 

In that vein, Minister Tan highlighted four key priorities that the Ministry of Manpower continues to focus on: 

#1: Empowering all workers 

The minister said: "Workforce transformation is a key priority for us. By helping our workers stay relevant and our businesses stay competitive, we enlarge our economic pie so that there is more for everyone. Employers who invest in the career health of their workers can better attract and retain talent." To that end, he noted the following initiatives in place driving this pillar:

• Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programme has been enhanced by increasing the cap on salary support and monthly training allowance for attachments.  
• The launch of the Overseas Markets Immersion Programme will support employers in sending their local workers overseas for new market exposure and reskilling. 
• S$100mn was set aside to support the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in its efforts to scale up enterprise & workforce transformation through Company Training Committees, benefitting workers and employers by bringing about better career prospects and productivity. 
• Workers will also be supported with access to relevant jobs and skills insights to help plan for long-term career progression and better navigate different career opportunities 
• The Ministry will continue to work with tripartite partners to shape workplace norms in tandem with the upcoming Workplace Fairness Legislation that will strengthen protections for workers against workplace discrimination. 

#2: Supporting senior workers  

Here, he shared:

• The tripartite partners will step up support for retirement adequacy by progressively increasing the retirement and re-employment ages to 65 and 70 by 2030, to empower senior workers to continue working if they wish and can do so.  
• CPF contribution rates for senior workers will also be raised so that they can enter retirement with more confidence. 
• The Majulah Package will support 'Young seniors' who are currently in their fifties and sixties, who face unique challenges compared to younger Singaporeans. 
• Beyond this, the Workfare Income Supplement, Matched Retirement Savings Scheme, and the Silver Support Scheme will be enhanced.  

#3: Uplifting vulnerable workers 

As part of support for lower-wage workers, Minister Tan stated:

• For lower-wage workers, the Ministry has expanded the Progressive Wage Model to include the following sectors:  

1. Retail
2. Food Services
3. Waste Management 
4. Administrators
5. Drivers

• Protections for vulnerable workers in the areas of work injury compensation, CPF and collective representation will be legislated and implemented later this year to support platform workers who are in a precarious situation 

“This is a landmark move in employment legislation, and we are one of the first in the world to do so,” Minister Tan shared. 

#4: Reassuring involuntarily unemployed jobseekers  

On this point, the minister highlighted that a new support scheme for involuntarily unemployed jobseekers to help them bounce back better will be announced in the later part of 2024. 

"The pace of change in the economy is accelerating and we know that more workers will likely be thrown curveballs. We have heard and heeded the call to
further support our workers who find themselves displaced through no fault of their own."

Minister Tan ended off his message by acknowledging the uncertainty of the global environment, but affirmed his confidence that through the trust and confidence amongst all, Singapore will come out strong nonetheless. 

“Let us prepare our workers to be ready for jobs of the future, and promote fair, progressive and safe workplaces that benefit both workers and employers.”

“Happy May Day everyone!” he added.  

READ MORE: Pre-May Day update 2024: Progress on support for PMEs in Singapore

Lead image / Provided