4.28 The WIS scheme is expected to benefit 438,000 Singaporeans3, and cost about $400 million a year over time. The numbers are likely to go up as more individuals are incentivised to join the workforce and to contribute to CPF. While Workfare is a long-term government programme, the specific scheme that we have worked out is new and will need to be tested out. We will review this scheme after three years and adjust it if we need to, to make sure that it achieves our aims.
4.29 The Workfare Income Supplement scheme is a major policy change. For the first time, the state will be supplementing the market wages that low-wage workers receive. But we have decided to make this change so as to help low-wage workers and encourage them to stay employed. This will strengthen social inclusion in Singapore.
3Estimated numbers by imposing the housing Annual Value criterion.
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