Including National Wage Council's Recommendations as Requirements in Cleaning Contracts

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the payment of the Annual Wage Supplement and annual increment based on the National Wage Council's recommendation for outsourced cleaning workers can be made part of the licensing conditions for cleaning companies.

Under the cleaning licensing regime, cleaning businesses are required to pay resident cleaners according to the wage levels specified in the Order by the Commissioner of Labour. The Order currently adopts the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for cleaners, which was determined through tripartite negotiations by the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners (TCC) to provide a pathway for cleaners’ wages to progress with training and improvements in productivity and standards.

The PWM is reviewed periodically by the TCC in consultation with various stakeholders including the industry and unions, and takes into consideration the National Wage Council’s (NWC) recommendations.

We will work with the Ministry of Manpower to raise the Member's suggestion of payment of Annual Wage Supplement and annual increment as a licensing condition for deliberation by the TCC.