Effectiveness of "The Next Step" Programme in Helping Sex Workers Find Alternative Career Pathways

23 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the funding provided by the National Council of Social Service for ''The Next Step'' programme to help sex workers find alternative career pathways has helped the programme achieve its goals; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider providing increased and longer-term funding for the programme.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: "The Next Step" is a programme initiated and run by non-profit organisation, Project X. It provides sex workers with upskilling and employment support, and social support in the form of peer groups and counselling services, to enable them to leave the commercial sex industry.

The programme is partially supported by funding administered by the National Council of Social Service from October 2023 to September 2026. Project X raises funds to cover the remainder. As a general approach, all funding is time-bound so that the grant recipient's performance can be evaluated and the benefit of extension weighed against other social needs. Hence, we encourage grant recipients to make sure their programmes deliver strong results and to seek wider support from the community.