Progressive Wage Model (PWM) Consultancy
Navigate and implement PWM & OPW guidelines effectively, to ensure compliance with mandatory minimum wage standards and training requirements.
What is Progressive Wage Model (PWM)?
Progressive Wage Model (PWM) is a scheme developed by NTUC and the Singapore government to increase the wages of full-time and part-time local workers (Singaporeans & PRs) in the following 7 sectors and advance their careers through upgrading skills and improving productivity.
- Cleaning
- Security
- Landscape
- Lift & Escalator
- Retail
- Food Services (PWM Introduced 1 March 2023)
- Waste Management (PWM Introduced 1 July 2023)
What that means for your company
If your company is in a sector listed above, it is compulsory to meet the PWM requirements of your sector, which generally covers two categories of requirements:
- Wage Requirements: Minimum wage, including OT minimum wage requirements for specific sectors
- Training Requirements: Specific WSQ training courses, depending on your specific sector
Effective 1 September 2022, PWM for cleaning, security and landscape has been extended to local in-house workers.
What that means for your company
Even if you are in a sector that is not listed above, but you have an in-house cleaner, security personnel or landscape personnel, your company must comply with PWM requirements for those specific employees.
What is Occupational Progressive Wages (OPW)?
Progressive Wage Model (PWM) is a scheme developed by the National Wages Council (NWC) to enhance the skills, productivity and minimum wages of local workers who are:
- Full-time or part-time employees in administrative or driving roles on contract of service; and
- Employed by firms which hire foreign workers
What that means for your company
Regardless of what sector you’re in — If your company hires administrators or drivers AND hires foreign workers, it is compulsory to meet the OWM requirements for those specific employees:
- Training Requirements: Specific WSQ training courses to ensure employees are equipped with skills needed to carry out their job functions
- Wage Requirements: Minimum wage to ensure employees are paid wages that commensurate with their skills and productivity
Food Services Sector
Unable to renew existing work passes or apply for new work passes
Retail Sector
Unable to renew existing work passes or apply for new work passes
Cleaning Sector
Unable to obtain or renew your NEA Cleaning Business Licence
Administrative OPW
Unable to renew existing work passes or apply for new work passes
Driver OPW
Unable to renew existing work passes or apply for new work passes
Security Sector
Unable to obtain Security Agency License under Police Licensing and Regulatory Department
Landscape Sector
Unable to obtain NParks’ Landscape Company Register (LCR)
Lift & Escalator Sector
Unable to register or remain registered under BCA’s RW02B and RW03B workheads
Waste Management Sector
Unable to obtain or renew your NEA License
Frequently Asked Questions
It is important to ensure that the data you submit in the OED Survey is accurate and compliant with PWM/OPW. Failure to submit OED or inaccurate data submission may impact your company’s application and renewal of foreign workers’ work passes.
Our PWM Consultancy includes one-time or monthly OED submission, to ensure continued compliance. Speak with our consultants to find out more.
The Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS) was introduced in in Budget 2022 to support companies that are increasing wages to be compliant with PWM, or voluntarily raising wages of lower-wage workers.
With PWCS, eligible wage increases will be co-funded for two years. This is an automatic funding that will be disbursed to your company automatically.
Speak with our consultants to find out if your wage increases qualify for PWCS, and how much funding you are eligible to receive.
- Training Allowance at $6 per hour, capped at 180 training hours
- Training Commitment Award of up to $1,000
- Absentee Payroll for sponsoring employers, up to 95% of hourly basic salary, capped at $13 per hour
Speak to our Consulting Team to find out how you can navigate the requirements for PWM & OPW
Our Consultants will help you find out if you are currently compliant with PWM, and how you can best optimise your wages and training to be fully compliant.