More resident cleaners now have better chances at higher wages

1001 licensed cleaning businesses to pay under Progressive Wage Model.

Since the licensing regime for cleaning businesses came into effect on 1 April 2014, 1,001 cleaning businesses, with a total workforce of 52,000 cleaners (including 38,000 resident cleaners), have been licensed by the National Environment Agency (NEA). The majority of the cleaning sector comprises small businesses, with 50 or fewer cleaners.

In a release by NEA, despite their relatively small size, these cleaning businesses have successfully met the licensing conditions, which include sending at least half of their cleaners for training and paying their cleaners progressive wages. To date, about 33,000 cleaners from licensed businesses have been trained, higher than the 50 per cent requirement for the first year under the new licensing regime.

NEA adds that from yesterday, licensed companies will need to pay their resident cleaners wages according to the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for those deployed under new cleaning contracts entered into on or after 1 April 2014. Thus far, over 26,000 resident cleaners in licensed cleaning businesses are being paid wages according to the PWM. By 1 September 2015, licensed companies will have to pay progressive wages to all their resident cleaners including those under existing cleaning contracts.

At the point of renewing their licences in the subsequent year, cleaning businesses are required to ensure that 100 per cent of their cleaners are trained.

NEA’s Director-General for the Environmental Public Health Division, Mr Derek Ho, said, “We are pleased that more than 1,000 cleaning businesses have come onboard and are supportive of the cleaning licensing regime. We believe this will translate to better performing workers and more satisfied service buyers through enhanced service quality and higher standards.”