DECENT WAGE FOR CLEANERS within 2 years

BACKGROUND 69,000 (est) cleaners in Singapore Government outsource cleaning to private cleaning companies Cleaners’ wages are low due to cheapsourcing – Many earn $600-$1000 (basic pay only about $500) – Stayed stagnant for many years Mostly made up of workers with low education and skills set Labour-intensive with low mechanisation Different government agencies responsible for securing their own cleaning contracts

JUSTIFICATION Narrow the income inequality gap – Maintain social cohesion Increase standard of living of cleaners Encourage best sourcing rather than cheap sourcing

TARGET GROUP Cleaners working in government agencies

PARTIES INVOLVED Unions Cleaning companies Service buyers (government agencies) National Environment Agency (accreditation body) Workforce Development Agency Training bodies

OBJECTIVES Cleaners to earn at least $1,200 Enhanced skill set for the group – Career progression for cleaners Mechanisation of jobs

ACTION PLAN Set up accreditation scheme Convince the government to have a central body to coordinate all the cleaning contracts – Perhaps NEA and NTUC Influence service buyers to look at wages and productivity when awarding tenders Ask $$$ from government – To upskill the workers – To modernise & mechanise the industry