Oral Answer to PQ on Good Jobs
NOTICE PAPER NO. 499 OF 2026 FOR SITTING ON 12 FEBRUARY 2026
QUESTION NO. 1395 FOR ORAL ANSWER
MP: Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat
To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the Ministry's operational definition of a "good job" as used in the Economic Strategy Review; (b) what measurable indicators will the Ministry use to track whether the strategy is creating such jobs; and (c) whether the Ministry will adopt a multi-dimensional job quality framework comparable to that published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Answer:
We use wages as a key operational measure to track if proposed investments create good jobs, since this is the most objective indicator of job quality. This enables comparisons across sectors, firms, occupations, and workers.
Having said that, the notion of a ‘good job’ varies across individuals, shaped by their circumstances and aspirations. It often includes factors such as wage growth, opportunities for career development, fair and safe workplaces and personal fulfilment, and what gives someone highest utility, among others. There are multiple dimensions to good jobs, and no single, universally accepted framework for measuring job quality. The perception of what constitutes good jobs also has a time dimension to it and may change with age.
2. Hence, we chose to measure a range of more objectively measurable labour market indicators and regularly benchmark our labour market performance internationally across key dimensions that cover job creation and job quality, such as: (i) labour market participation, (ii) labour underutilisation, and (iii) earnings. These are broadly aligned with the OECD framework and across these domains, Singapore generally ranks favourably relative to OECD economies.
3. Local workers have experienced sustained and inclusive wage growth. From 2021 to 2025, real gross monthly income at the median grew by 7.4%. At the 20th percentile, income grew even faster, by 10.1% over the same period. Two-thirds of private sector establishments provided structured training to employees, demonstrating that employers continue to invest in their workers. Fewer employees experienced discrimination at work, with the proportion decreasing from 8.5% in 2021 to 6% in 2023. We have also enacted the Workplace Fairness Act to promote fair employment practices and protect employees from workplace discrimination. Our Workplace Safety and Health performance also ranked amongst the top performing countries globally, with a five-year average workplace fatality rate of 1.1 per 100,000 workers in 2024.
4. We will continue working to ensure that our economic strategies translate economic growth into good jobs for Singaporeans.