Clarification

Clarification by Minister for Social and Family Development

10 March 2025 · Ministry of Social and Family Development

Speakers

Masagos Zulkifli B M M (Minister for Social and Family Development, Second Minister for Health and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs)

Summary

This clarification concerns factual corrections by the Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Masagos Zulkifli regarding responses provided during the Committee of Supply debate. He clarified that approximately 80% of Social Service Agency employees, rather than the agencies themselves, adhere to competitive salary guidelines. Furthermore, he corrected the date Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary mentioned a joint project with the Ministry of Health to 7 March. The Minister noted that the specific norms and service delivery for this collaboration are still being finalized for future announcement. These amendments refine official records regarding the Ministry's workforce support measures and inter-agency projects.

Transcript

The following statements were made by the Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Masagos Zulkifli) during the Committee of Supply debate for the Ministry of Social and Family Development at the Sitting of 10 March 2025:

(a) The Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M): To Mr Melvin Yong's query, we have been steadily increasing the Skills and Salary Guidelines to be competitive with the market and commensurate with the professionals' contributions. We have been engaging employers to strengthen adherence with the guidelines. Today, about 80% of SSAs adhere to the salary guidelines. [Please refer to "Committee of Supply – Head I (Ministry of Social and Family Development)", Official Report, 10 March 2025, Vol 95, Issue 161, Budget section.]

(b) Mr Masagos Zulkifli: We thank Ms Ng Ling Ling for the clarification questions. On the second question, it is a joint project with MOH. Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary mentioned it yesterday. They are still working out where to put it and what the norms and delivery of the service would be like. That will be announced later. [Please refer to "Committee of Supply – Head I (Ministry of Social and Family Development)", Official Report, 10 March 2025, Vol 95, Issue 161, Budget section.]

Written statement by Mr Masagos Zulkifli circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):

I wish to make the following factual corrections in my reply provided during the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Committee of Supply debate at the Sitting of 10 March 2025. My reply should read as follows:

(a) The Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Masagos Zulkifli): To Mr Melvin Yong's query, we have been steadily increasing the Skills and Salary Guidelines to be competitive with the market and commensurate with the professionals' contributions. We have been engaging employers to strengthen adherence with the guidelines. Today, about 80% of SSA employees adhere to the salary guidelines.