Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Wage Differential of Ex-Offender Placed in a Job through SCORE by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in the last five years (a) what is the average wage differential of an ex-offender who secures employment through the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE) compared to the median industry wage in the relevant industries; and (b) what is the number of white collar or office-based jobs that SCORE has matched ex-offenders to.

Answer:

1. Based on the employment facilitated by SCORE in 2015, the median salary of ex-offenders was on average about 10% lower than the median salary for similar occupations in the market.

2. Of the 2,157 inmates assisted by SCORE in 2015, 1% (or 30) were matched to white-collar jobs. This figure has been fairly consistent over the last five years.

3. The employers' support for the acceptance and fair employment of ex-offenders is key in helping them rebuild their lives. As ex-offenders make the effort to turn over a new leaf, we hope that society, including employers and the community, will stand ready to support them.