Occupational Progressive Wages (OPW)

What is OPW?

Occupational Progressive Wages (OPW) is a wage framework introduced in Singapore that focuses on uplifting workers in specific occupations, such as administrators and drivers, regardless of the industry they work in. OPW is part of the broader Progressive Wage Model (PWM) and was developed by the National Wages Council (NWC) to ensure that local workers receive fair wages and have clear career progression opportunities.

 

 

Employers must comply with OPW requirements, including providing necessary Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) training and certifications, to renew or apply for new work passes for employees in these roles. This system is designed to help workers improve their skills, increase productivity, and earn higher wages over time.

The core principles of OPW remain consistent with those of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM):

(i) Clear Career Pathways: Provides defined routes for workers to advance in their careers.

 

(ii) Minimum Wage Requirements: Establishes minimum wage standards for various levels within the career pathway for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs).


(iii) Skill and Productivity Training: Mandates training to enhance workers’ skills and productivity, thereby increasing their contribution to employers’ profitability and justifying wage increments.

PWMs currently in effect

Since 1 September 2022, Progressive Wages (PWs) have been expanded to include retail workers, in-house cleaners, security officers, and landscape maintenance workers. The Food Services PWM and the Occupational PWs for administrators and drivers have been implemented from March 2023, and Waste Management PWM from July 2023.

 

Sectoral / Occupational PWsPWM requirements took effect from

Cleaning sector

  • Extension to in-house cleaners

1 September 2014

1 September 2022

Security sector

  • Extension to in-house security officers

1 September 2016

1 September 2022

Landscape sector

  • Extension to in-house landscape maintenance employees

30 June 2016

1 September 2022

Lift and escalator sector1 May 2019
Retail sector1 September 2022
Food services sector1 March 2023
Occupational PWs for administrators and drivers1 March 2023
Waste management sector1 July 2023

Who is covered under OPW?

All Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) who are:

 

a) Full-time or part-time employees in administrative or driving roles on a contract of service and 

b) Employed by firms which hire foreign workers

OPW Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Requirements

OPW is a requirement for Singapore citizens and PRs in administrator and driver roles. It is not for all Singaporean and PR employees in Singapore.

Administrator roles include: 

  • Admin Assistants
  • Admin Executives 
  • Admin Supervisors 

Driver roles include: 

  •  General Drivers
  • Specialised Drivers 
 
If your company employs administrators and drivers in the above roles, you will be required to meet the OPW requirement. Check out our WSQ Courses that are eligible for OPW here: 
List of WSQ courses

OPW Training Requirements

Employers must ensure that their Singapore citizen and PR administrators and drivers meet the OPW training requirement of attaining:

 

  • At least 1 Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) Statement of Attainment, with no restriction on which WSQ course can be taken; or
  • An in-house training programme.

 

The in-house training programme must be guided by training objectives, training modality, key training tasks and training duration to meet the training requirements. When required, employers are expected to show supporting documentation on their in-house training programme and records of workers who attended the trainings.

 

Employers have a grace period to comply with the OPW training requirements:

 

  • For new hires: Six months from the new hire’s date of employment.
  • For existing employees: One year from when the OPW takes effect in March 2023; up to 29 February 2024.

FAQs:

OPW was introduced to improve skills, boost productivity and increase minimum wages of workers.

In order to renew existing work passes or apply for new work passes, employers must meet the OPW training requirements.

If an employer does not comply with OPW requirements, they will not be able to apply for new work passes nor renew existing employees’ work passes.

There is no restriction on which WSQ course can be taken. Check out OOm Institute’s WSQ courses here! 

No, OPW is not a requirement for all employees. It is a requirement for only Singaporeans and PRs who are employed as administrators and drivers in Singapore. 

You can find more information on MOM’s website here.

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