THE government is reviewing the Workfare Income Supplement scheme to see if it can reward more, without discouraging people from seeking regular work.

Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong shared this yesterday at a dialogue session with residents and grassroots leaders from Nee Soon Central Constituency at Chung Cheng High School (Yishun).

He was responding to a question on whether Workfare payouts could be more frequent. At present, eligible workers receive payouts twice a year.

Mr Gan recognised that there have been suggestions for more frequent payouts, and also for looser criteria to qualify for Workfare. Among other requirements, workers have to work at least three months within a six-month period, but there are calls to relax this.

Earlier last week, the Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) also proposed that the government tweak Workfare to ensure that 'it is focused, timely and effective in helping low-wage workers'. There should be 'stronger incentives for older workers in particular to stay in the workforce'.

The Manpower Ministry is reviewing the scheme, Mr Gan said. But he stressed the importance of keeping Workfare true to its aim, which is to encourage regular work.

'We want to see whether we can reward more people, encourage more people to work, but at the same time we do not want to compromise the objective of encouraging regular consistent work,' he said.

Details of changes to Workfare will be announced in the upcoming Budget, he added.

Mr Gan also addressed the issue of training for low-wage workers at the dialogue session. He cited findings from a study, which fleshed out the obstacles these workers face in upgrading their skills.

For instance, some employers may be reluctant to send their employees for training, while some older workers may not have the basic literacy or numeracy skills to make the best of the courses.

The ESC has asked the government to come up with more schemes to support training for low-wage workers, and details will be announced in the Budget, he said.