Singapore is reviewing the local qualifying salary (LQS)– the minimum that local workers must be paid by an employer that hires foreign workers – under a series of moves to support lower-wage workers, reports The Business Times. The publication cited senior minister of state for manpower Zaqy Mohamad. The country’s progressive wage credit scheme (PWCS) that co-funds pay rises for lower-wage workers will also be enhanced, with details to come in Budget 2024. Singapore’s Budget 2024 is expected to be announced on 16 February. “One of the policies we are reviewing is the LQS, to ensure that wages for our lower-wage workers continue to keep pace with the market,” Mohamad said.

Separately, a new Progressive Wage Portal has been developed for lower-wage workers. With this online portal, workers can check whether they are being paid in line with the relevant progressive wage model or LQS requirements. They can also examine whether their job role matches their actual responsibilities.