Lower-wage food industry staff to receive staged pay increases starting July 2026
More than 53,000 food services workers in Singapore will benefit from a new round of salary increases under the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), with the first adjustments set to take effect on July 1.
Wage Increases for Food Services Workers
Lower-wage workers in Singapore’s food services sector will receive the first of several pay increases starting July 1.
The latest Progressive Wage Model rollout covers more than 53,000 full-time and part-time workers employed in food establishments, caterers and central kitchens.
Minimum Salary to Reach $2,220
About 15,000 full-time food services workers will see their monthly salaries rise to at least $2,220.
Workers earning at least $2,080 a month will receive mandatory annual pay increases of $140 over the next three years.
Gradual Pay Growth Until 2028
Under the schedule, a drink stall assistant earning $2,080 today will see their monthly salary increase to about $2,500 by July 2028.
Supervisory roles such as waiter supervisors will receive slightly higher annual increments of $145.
Part-Time Workers Also Included
Part-time employees working fewer than 35 hours per week will also benefit from the scheme.
For example, a part-time worker earning $10.91 per hour in early 2026 is expected to earn around $13.11 per hour by July 2028.
Programme Aims to Reduce Wage Gap
Officials said the policy is designed to narrow the wage gap between lower-income workers and the rest of the workforce.
The Progressive Wage Model, first introduced in 2014, combines salary increases with training requirements to improve career progression and productivity.
While businesses continue to face rising operating costs, the Progressive Wage Model remains a key policy tool to uplift lower-wage workers in Singapore’s food services industry while encouraging skills development and long-term career growth.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Business Times (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Food Services PWM, Progressive Wage Model Food Sector, Singapore Worker Pay Increase, Lower Wage Worker Policy Singapore, Food Industry Salary Singapore
