Over 40,000 food service workers to receive wage increases

The baseline wage for full-time workers will increase to $2,080 in 2025.

Following the government’s acceptance of the Tripartite Cluster for Food Services (TCF)’s recommendations on their new Progressive Wage Model (PWM), food services workers at the entry level can see their monthly wage move up by 19% over three years.

Under TCF’s recommendation, there will be a  three-year schedule of sustained PWM wage increases for food services workers, such as kitchen assistants, waiters and cooks. 

This means that the baseline wage of resident full-time and part-time food services workers will increase from $1,750 in 2023 to $2,080 in 2025.

The Ministry of Manpower (MoM) will implement the wage increase on 1 March. About 41,000 food service workers are expected to benefit from the increase.

 “For the first six months from March to August 2023, MOM will give employers time to adjust and comply with the wage requirements. Tripartite partners will also be educating employers on the various Progressive Wage requirements. After this transitional period, employers who do not comply with the wage requirements may have their work pass privileges suspended,” the MoM said.

Apart from wage increases, TCF also proposed a career ladder for the Food Services sector with differentiated tracks for two categories of food establishments.

The first track is Quick-Service establishments like fast food outlets, food kiosks, and food courts, and the second is Full-Service establishments like restaurants with wait staff, caterers and central kitchens. 

“Job roles included in the career ladder will be covered by mandatory PWM wage requirements, except for job roles in the highest rung where wages will be determined by market forces. The career ladder will provide workers with a clear progression pathway to higher wages, better skills, and increased job responsibilities,” the Ministry of Manpower said.

The TCF has recommended that each food services worker complete a minimum of two Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) training modules relevant to their job role. 

“The training will help food services workers perform better at their jobs and contribute to their firm’s productivity. Employers will have one year from the implementation date of 1 March 2023 to ensure that their workers meet the training requirements,” the MoM added.