Model ID: 36ea99b4-754e-42ec-a577-41550ee8a321
Sitecore Context Id: 36ea99b4-754e-42ec-a577-41550ee8a321;
The National Wages Council (NWC) Guidelines for 2022/23 was released today. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and our affiliated unions support the recommendations that will be in force from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023. NTUC calls on employers to adopt these guidelines for all workers, as well as press on to uplift the wages for our lower-wage workers (LWWs).
As compared to 2021, the labour market has improved in all aspects in resident employment and easing of resident unemployment, as well as reduction of retrenchment figures to record low. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) projects that the Singapore economy is set to expand by 3 to 4% in 2022. However, there continues to be downside risks in the global economy. Notwithstanding this, the Tripartite partners have agreed for the NWC 2022/23 guidelines to revert to pre-COVID standards.
Fair, Inclusive and Sustainable Wage Increases for All Workers
NTUC calls on employers to adopt the Guidelines and implement fair, inclusive and sustainable wage increase for all worker and to press on with efforts to uplift the wages of our LWWs through LWW wage guidelines and Occupational Progressive Wages recommendations. NTUC supports the call by Government for employers to implement the Flexible Wage System (FWS) to better manage the businesses uncertainties ahead.
NTUC strongly encourages employers to follow NWC guidelines to reward employees with fair wage increases and variable payments for all workers, including the middle-income group of workers. Employers should also recognise employees’ contributions over the last two years, particularly workers in the hardest hit sectors, who may have taken wage cuts during the Covid-19 pandemic. And to factor in the cost of living pressures, to ensure real income growth.
In this year’s negotiations, there were several notable wins for our workers in the form of higher wage threshold and increment for LWWs - from $2,000 to $2,200. And the Guidelines recommends wage increment of 5.5% to 7.5% for all firms hiring LWWs, subject to a minimum $80 to $100 for companies that have done well, and recommended that companies that have not done well but have good business prospects to provide future variable payments based on appropriate business indicators.
NTUC Supports Workforce and Business Transformation for Sustainable Wage Growth
For wage increase to be sustainable, NTUC calls on employers and employees to take a proactive approach in business and workforce transformation to remain relevant and encourages more employers to form Company Training Committees (CTC) with NTUC.
NTUC remains ready to support employers in their workforce and business transformation initiatives through our NTUC Training and Placement ecosystem to enable better Wages, Welfare and Work Prospects for our workers.
NTUC also urges workers to leverage the NTUC Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) in conjunction with their SkillsFuture Credit to invest in and upskill themselves so that they are able to reach their fullest potential.
NTUC would like to take the opportunity to thank our Tripartite Partners for the robust discussion for this year’s NWC discussion and looks forward to the successful implementation of the Guidelines. NTUC calls for employers to recognise the contributions of workers in a manner that is fair, inclusive and sustainable because #EveryWorkerMatters.
Ms Mary Liew
President
National Trades Union Congress
