SINGAPORE - For the third year in a row, the National Wages Council (NWC) has singled out low-wage workers and recommended they receive a minimum amount of pay increase.

Workers earning less than $1,000 each month should get a pay hike of at least $60, the council said in its annual wage guidelines issued on Friday. This follows its recommendations that these workers receive minimum pay hikes of $50 and $60 in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

As for other workers, the council urged employers to "give built-in wage increases... taking into account the firms' business performances, prospects and sustainability", without specifying a minimum amount. The wage guidelines take effect from July 1.

The National Trades Union Congress and Singapore National Employers Federation have welcomed the guidelines. The civil service, Singapore's largest employer, has also accepted the recommendations.

Although the guidelines are not binding, they are closely watched and adopted by the private sector.