Workfare is part of Broader Support Available for Lower-Wage Workers
We refer to Mr Fang’s letter “Workfare Income Supplement Scheme has shortcomings, 12 Jul”, and thank him for his support of the upcoming increase to the qualifying income ceiling for the Workfare Income Supplement (Workfare) Scheme to $3,000.
Mr Fang asked about the need for Workfare to have a minimum income criterion of $500 per month. The minimum income criterion is to encourage workers to work more regularly or take up higher-paying jobs.
We have made significant steps to uplift the wages of lower-wage workers through the Progressive Wage Model and Local Qualifying Salary. Today, up to 9 in 10 full-time lower-wage workers are covered by Progressive Wage moves. Lower-wage workers not directly covered should also see wage increases, as employers adjust to attract and retain their workers in a tight labour market. As such, most regular workers will be able to earn more than $500 and benefit from Workfare. Individuals who need greater support to find better-paying jobs can approach Workforce Singapore and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) for career matching services.
Lower-wage self-employed persons, including Platform Workers, can also qualify for Workfare. Once stronger protections for Platform Workers are implemented, eligible Platform Workers will receive Workfare on a monthly basis instead of annually, similar to employees.
We recognise that there may be some who do not meet the minimum income criterion due to personal circumstances and are in greater need of support. This may include individuals with significant caregiving responsibilities, Persons with Disabilities and ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance recipients. We will provide concessionary Workfare for such eligible workers even if they earn less than $500 per month.
Lum Pooi-Fun (Ms)
Director (Retirement Systems), Income Security Policy Division
Ministry of Manpower
[Letter] ZB: Workfare Income Supplement Scheme has shortcomings (12 Jul)
笔者是一名自雇人士，曾经受惠于就业入息补助计划 （Workfare Income Supplement）。由于家中有长者需要笔者照料，因此无法投入常规的全职工作，只能在家从事翻译工作。笔者的客户，大半来自非营利组织，所以我和工作伙伴都避免把收费定得过高。
2022年一项新规定横空出世，就业入息补助计划的最低合格月入，在2023年设在500元。这意味低收入者，包括自雇人士在内的最低年薪必须达到6000元，才可纳入就业入息补助计划。
另一方面，从2025年1月起，合格月入顶限将会从目前的2500元调高至3000元。笔者认为将合格月入顶限调高，可让更多国人受惠，值得赞许。但是，把最低合格月入设在500元却是逆向操作。在逻辑上令人费解，在情理上也有欠公道。
因为，某些低薪一族的月入根本不足500元。把原本符合条件领取就业入息补助的人士排除在外，他们却是最需要受惠的一群。如果连月收入少于500元的人士，都不能 “定义” 为低收入者、不能受惠，政府要如何帮助这个群体呢？
低收入群体已经过着捉襟见肘的日子，他们可能是临时工、平台员工或自雇人士。就拿笔者为例，自雇人士没有年假和病假，也没有雇主为我缴纳公积金。在员工福利上，只能完全靠自己。
自雇人士往往也面临就业不足的窘境。不是自身不努力，而是常常出现有价无市的状况，即便收费再低，仍然无人问津。在我们的行业里，口碑和信誉尤其重要。这须要耐心经营，不是一朝一夕，或上上课就能取得立竿见影的效果。
盼望政策制定者在拟定计划时，多为低收入者设想，让每一位国人都能享受国家成功的果实。
方健宁