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The salary guidelines of social service workers would be undergoing a revision to increase their pay, while social service agencies (SSAs) will be receiving more financial support.

This was done “to keep pace with wage realities in the market, and account for changes in job responsibilities, as well as salaries of comparable roles in competing markets,” said Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli in his speech on Mar. 3 during the Committee of Supply (COS) debates.

According to Masagos, "access to generous financial support remains a key enabler" for the social service sector.

To take effect on Apr. 1

Salary guidelines for the social service sector will be revised by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to recommend salary increases of four to 15 per cent for all job levels and professions.

This will take effect on Apr. 1, 2023.

This is part of the ministry’s initiative to enhance support for a future-ready social service sector and is carried out by MSF and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).

The NCSS Sector Salary guidelines were last reviewed by MSF and NCSS in 2018.

The review was based on wages of comparable job roles in competing labour markets and salary guidelines were adjusted to account for the average wage growth in the job market.

Benefits over 20,000 employees

The changes in salary guidelines will potentially benefit over 20,000 employees in the social service sector.

All SSAs are encouraged to refer to the guidelines when determining the pay structures and salaries within their respective organisations.

Masagos assured that “MSF and NCSS will support their efforts” in adopting the guidelines.

Support in compliance & implementation

MSF and NCSS will be working closely with funded SSAs on compliance with the salary guidelines.

Briefings, workshops, and clinic sessions will be organised by NCSS to support SSAs in familiarising and implementation of the guidelines.

Support via the People Practice pillar under the Community Capability Trust (CCT) will also be provided to boost SSAs’ capability in human resources (HR) practices.

Initiatives will be rolled out progressively from mid-2023 onwards and SSAs can seek support under CCT to work on HR projects, such as reviewing current pay structures to comply with the new recommended salary guidelines.

Approximately S$846 million pledged by Tote Board to fund social service programmes

The Tote Board has also committed approximately S$846 million to the Tote Board Social Service Fund (TBSSF) to fund more than 70 key social service programmes over the next five years.

The TBSSF provides grants for critical and strategic social service programmes and new programmes for the social service sector.

This is the "Tote Board’s largest commitment since the inception of the Fund", Masagos noted, and it will complement the Government’s funding of around S$400 million per year.

Top images via Facebook pages of MSF Singapore & NCSS Singapore