Workfare in Singapore

Workfare, not Welfare “Through Workfare, individuals are encouraged to work and achieve self- sufficiency for themselves and their families. It reaffirms the work ethic by providing a sustainable solution to help low wage workers” - Ministerial Committee on Low Wage Workers

Why Workfare? Rising long-term unemployment rate

6 spokes of Workfare Workfare Social Support to Enable Work Higher Skills for Better Jobs Rewarding Work Expand Job Opportunities Hope for the Future Sharing in the Nation’s Progress

What is Work Support? Target groups:  Unemployed  Low-income How to qualify:  Household income criteria ( ~USD$940 a month)  Citizenship criteria  Needs test  Show willingness to help yourself through work. No. of households projected to be on Work Support at any one time: ~4500.  Very small percentage of those who meet the income criteria (bottom 20% of Singapore households)

What is Work Support? What you get, depending on needs of family:  Monthly cash allowance of maximum ~USD$370; most get about half that  Assistance with electricity and water bills, and municipal maintenance fees  Additional assistance for childcare / student care  Training grant  Job placement services  Career coaching and case management

What is Work Support? Responsibilities:  Case manager will work with each family to set out an Action Plan  Action Plan contains concrete steps family must take to obtain employment or become self-reliant  Compliance with Action Plan is condition of continued assistance  Client will meet with case manager monthly to update action plan  Maximum period of assistance 24 months

Principles in Social Assistance Many helping hands  Those with adequate community support will not be helped  Work Support assistance not meant to cover all needs  Case manager will refer clients to relevant social service agencies Family as the first line of support  Assistance given by household, not individual, and family is expected to work together on Action plan. Mutual obligation, not entitlement  Action plan and strict time limits emphasise client’s responsibility

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