Number and Profile of Workers in General Waste Collection and Materials Recovery Sub-sectors

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what is the current total number of workers and corresponding workforce profile in both general waste collection and the materials recovery sub-sectors; and (b) what are the various deciles for both monthly basic and gross wages in the two sub-sectors.

Based on the 2016 Waste Management Industry Manpower Study commissioned by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Workforce Singapore (WSG), there are about 7,900 workers in the general waste collection sub-sector, and about 6,500 workers in the materials recovery sub-sector.

The study contains wage data for individual job functions in the general waste collection and materials recovery sub-sectors. This includes managers, supervisors, machine operators, waste and recyclables truck drivers, collection and sorting crew. The core operational roles of the workforce would be the waste and recyclables collection and sorting crew, as well as supervisors and drivers.

For waste and recyclables collection workers, the annual basic wages are $11,960, $14,040 and $16,952 at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile respectively. The corresponding annual gross wages are $19,458, $25,193 and $31,144 respectively. For recyclables sorters, the annual basic wages are $10,400, $11,700 and $14,400 at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile respectively. The corresponding annual gross wages are $13,173, $16,200 and $23,464 respectively.

For waste and recyclables collection supervisors, the annual basic wages are $30,875, $35,490 and $38,545 at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile respectively. The corresponding annual gross wages are $45,935, $52,538 and $64,468 respectively. For sorting and recycling plant supervisors, the annual basic wages are $22,198, $29,300 and $40,430 at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile respectively. The corresponding annual gross wages are $32,500, $45,061 and $57,000 respectively.

For waste collection and recyclables truck drivers, the annual basic wages are $22,100, $23,660 and $28,860 at the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile respectively. The corresponding annual gross wages are $36,000, $44,476 and $52,741 respectively.

The next Environmental Services Industry Manpower Study, which will cover both Cleaning and Waste Management sectors, will be commissioned by the NEA in 2020.