Updated: 10/19/2012 08:01

About 10,000 cleaners can expect higher pay with push for progressive wage model

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Cleaners in some sectors can expect to take home a bigger pay packet and enjoy higher starting basic salaries as part of efforts to raise productivity through a Progressive Wage Model.

The Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners is pushing for the model to attract cleaners to help ease the shortage of workers in the sectors.

It said these changes should apply to local cleaners in three sub-sectors - office and commercial buildings, food and beverage establishments and conservancies.

For a start, it wants to help about 10 thousand cleaners in these sub-sectors earn a higher entry-level basic wage of between 1 thousand and 1,200 dollars.

Currently, the median wage of cleaners in these positions is between 675 and 950 dollars.

The cluster is also pushing for a wage ladder - to give more wage points to cleaners who pick up new and better skills, or take on higher responsibilities.