Wage Benchmark in Clean Mark Accreditation Scheme

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) whether the Ministry is considering to include a wage benchmark in the Clean Mark Accreditation Scheme for the cleaning industry and, if so, whether an update on such efforts can be provided; and (b) whether the Ministry will also consider having the wage benchmark of the accreditation scheme to be applicable to service buyers from the private sector.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The voluntary Clean Mark Accreditation Scheme was introduced in July 2010 to encourage cleaning companies to conduct appropriate training for workers, to invest in equipment and to have good human resource management. The scheme aims to raise standards, productivity and professionalism of the cleaning industry. Since its launch, 61 cleaning companies have attained the Clean Mark Silver Award.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is currently consulting the industry stakeholders and unions to further enhance the accreditation scheme so that cleaners can receive better wages and terms of employment which are commensurate with their skills, training and higher productivity. We expect to launch the enhanced Clean Mark Accreditation Scheme later this year.

The Government is taking the lead with some 30 Government agencies already engaging accredited cleaning companies. By next year, all Government agencies will procure cleaning services only from accredited companies for new cleaning contracts. We would encourage the private sector to do likewise.

NEA is also working towards licensing all cleaning companies within the next two years in order to upgrade the professional standards of all cleaning companies and the welfare of our cleaners.

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