In the face of a challenging global economic outlook, the food services industry is grappling with various obstacles, including rising costs in utilities and rentals, increased food supply prices, and a shortage of manpower. This sector has long struggled with a chronic shortage of workers and difficulties in retaining staff, largely due to competing industries offering more attractive employment terms. Factors such as a reluctance among workers to work on weekends and public holidays, limited career advancement opportunities, and a perceived negative image of the food services industry as a career choice further exacerbate the situation.
The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the food services sector aims to provide employees with a clear pathway to higher wages, improved skills, and greater job responsibilities. Additionally, the Government has introduced the Food Services Industry Transformation Map 2025 to support businesses in adopting digital solutions and enhancing productivity.
To benefit from these advancements, companies must comply with the PWM’s wage and training requirements for food services workers who are Singapore citizens or permanent residents. This compliance ensures that employees receive proper food safety training, essential for maintaining high standards in the industry.
What Is the Progressive Wage Model?
The Progressive Wage Model for food services workers was developed by the Tripartite Cluster for the Food Services Industry (TCF). Starting from 1 March 2023, employers are required to meet PWM criteria to renew existing work passes or apply for new ones.
Who It Covers
The PWM requirements apply to Singapore citizens and permanent residents who are:
- Full-time or part-time food services employees on a contract of service, working at premises that hold a Singapore Food Agency (SFA) Food Retail or Food Processing (Central Kitchen) license, and
- Employed by firms that hire foreign workers on mainstream work passes (e.g., Work Permit, S Pass, Employment Pass), regardless of whether the firm falls under the Food and Beverage Service Activities Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) or another SSIC.
The food services PWM encompasses the following job roles across two categories of establishments:
Category A
- Quick-Service (QS) food establishments, including fast-food outlets, food courts, food kiosks, and eating houses where customers self-collect food or drink orders from service counters.
- Supermarkets with ready-to-eat food stations.
Category B
- Full-Service (FS) food establishments that employ wait staff, such as waiters or banquet servers, which do not fall under Category A.
- Caterers.
- Central kitchens.
By integrating food safety training into the Progressive Wage Model, the food services sector can enhance not only the skills and wages of its workers through upskilling but also the overall safety and quality of food served to consumers.