PUBLISHED ONAugust 07, 2026 4:53 AMBYSean LerThe National Wages Council (NWC) is seeking the public's views to develop its annual guidelines on salaries and employment-related issues ahead of its meeting on Aug 19, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Friday (Aug 7).
It will take into account Singapore's economic competitiveness, labour market conditions, inflation, productivity growth, as well as the global economic outlook when formulating its recommendations.
It will also continue to set out its annual guidance on the range of progressive wage growth for lower-wage workers.
The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) — developed by tripartite committee, comprising unions, employers and the government — is intended to raise the wages of lower-wage workers.
It covers Singapore citizens and permanent residents working full-time or part-time under a contract of service.
PWM is currently in effect across seven sectors and two occupations — administrators and drivers, with wage floors at each rung increasing according to a pre-determined schedule.
The sectors are: cleaning, security, landscape, lift and escalator, retail, food services, and waste management.
Members of the public who wish to provide feedback and suggestions on the upcoming guidelines can do so via the NWC's public feedback website till Aug 19.
The guidelines are expected to be released by end-October, covering the period from Dec 1 this year to Nov 30, 2027.
Nominal wages rose 4.9 per cent last year, slower than the 5.6 per cent recorded in 2024.
Nominal wage refers to total wage, including components such as the basic wage and annual variable component.
Meanwhile, real wages grew by 4 per cent in 2025 compared with 3.2 per cent in 2024, after accounting for inflation, indicating improved purchasing power for workers.
In an announcement on May 28, MOM said it expects wage growth to stay positive but moderate amid a more uncertain global environment and lingering inflation risks.
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