Specialised Cleaning Businesses to be Exempted from Licensing

Transcription

1 Specialised Cleaning Businesses to be Exempted from Licensing Annex A Businesses that deal in the following types of specialised cleaning will be exempted from the mandatory licensing regime. S/N Cleaning Work Description 1 Facade Exterior of any building/facility including Roof, Exterior Walls/ Windows, Glass Panes, etc.; and Large Structures such as Fountains, Statues, Attractions (e.g. SG Flyer), etc. 2 Pipelines and Utility Fixtures Pipelines such as Water / Gas Pipes, Drainage Pipes, Sewage Pipes, Exhaust Ducts, Air Ducts, Water Tanks, etc. 3 Construction Cleanup of debris, waste, etc. Site 4 Clean Room Laboratories / Facilities with highly controlled conditions, including sterile conditions. 5 Hazardous / Bio-Hazardous Areas Laboratories / Facilities / Premises exposed to hazardous materials, including Quarantine Areas, Crime Scene Cleanup, Chemical Plants, Heavy Industries, etc. 6 Animal Animal Enclosures, Cages, Compounds, etc. Enclosures 7 Swimming Pool/ Aquariums 8 Domestic Cleaning Swimming Pools, Jacuzzis, Spa, Commercial Aquariums, Deep Sea Aquariums, etc. Full-Time Domestic Help, Part-Time Housecleaning, One-Off Service House Cleaning Page 1 of 9

2 Proposed Licensing Requirements Annex B 1) Business Registration Registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) or the Registry of Societies (ROS) 2) Track Record of Cleaning Projects At least one cleaning contract on-hand, or completed in the 12 months preceding the licence application. OR Experienced/ Trained Personnel (In the case where applicant does not satisfy track record requirement) a) At least one supervisory staff with two years of relevant experience in cleaning work, OR b) Attended modules as prescribed by the Director-General Public Health (DGPH) i) Supervise Service Operations ii) Demonstrate and Apply Understanding of Cleaning Methods and Processes 3) Progressive Wage Plan To submit a progressive wage plan for resident cleaners employed, specifying the basic wage for each class of cleaners that is conforming to the wage levels specified by the Commissioner for Labour (COL), MOM, which should be no less than what is reflected in the Progressive Wage Model recommended by the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners. 4) Training for Cleaning Workforce Cleaners to attend at least 1 module under the WSQ EC Framework. Cleaning businesses may send their cleaners for the basic cleaning module Demonstrate Understanding of the Local Cleaning Industry Environment. NEA may recognise other modules (not under the WSQ EC Framework) on a case-by-case basis. Note: Requirement to be implemented in phrases: Application Period Training Compliance (%) At the point of licence application 50 (By 1 Sep 14) By 1 st licence renewal 100 (By 1 Sep 15) Page 2 of 9

3 Annex C Proposed Training Requirement: Environmental Cleaning Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Introduction Since late 2009, WDA has been working with key industry stakeholders to develop the Environmental Cleaning (EC) WSQ framework to better serve the training needs of the industry and enhance its professionalism. From 1 July 2010, the Environmental Cleaning WSQ is ready to offer the cleaning industry skills upgrading pathways for their workers that will help them boost performance and productivity. Workers in the cleaning industry can look forward to taking up industry recognised training to raise their skills and capabilities that will enhance their employability. The EC WSQ certifications will be the main avenue through which businesses can meet the training requirements under NEA s accreditation scheme for the cleaning industry. It has replaced the Cleaning National Skills Recognition System (NSRS) with effect from 1 July Overview of the Environmental Cleaning WSQ The framework caters to the training of cleaning crew, stewards and supervisors in two subsectors namely: Commercial and Private Residential Cleaning Public Cleaning It offers 48 modules grouped under three levels of qualifications namely, Certificate, Higher Certificate and Advanced Certificate. The progression pathway provided in the framework is as shown in Figure 1 below. Figure 1: Progression Pathway under EC WSQ Framework Page 3 of 9

4 Environmental Cleaning WSQ Courses Course WSQ Certificate in Environmental Cleaning 4 Core + 2 Elective Units WSQ Higher Certificate in Environmental Cleaning 4 Core + 3 Elective Units WSQ Advanced Certificate in Environmental Cleaning 6 Core + 2 Elective Units Suitable for Competencies at this level aim to equip cleaning professionals with the skills to perform basic cleaning activities as a cleaning crew. Competencies at this level of qualification aim to equip cleaning professionals looking to advance their skills with indepth training in specialised cleaning, and soft skills required as a cleaning steward to lead small teams of cleaning crew. Competencies at this level of qualification aim to equip cleaning professionals earmarked for leadership positions such as cleaning supervisors to manage multiple teams. Environmental Cleaning WSQ Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) Environmental Cleaning WSQ courses have been rolled out progressively since June Interested participants can check with the following approved training organisations for more information on course fees, schedule and funding support: NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd Center for Competency-Based Learning and Development Pte Ltd U-Training Centre Pte Ltd ST Electronics (e- services) Pte Ltd - Centre for SHEQ Training Masters Workforce Institute Pte Ltd Training Provider Contact details NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd 80 Jurong East Street 21, e2i #02-03, Singapore Tel: (65) , Fax: (65) [email protected] Website: Center for Competency- Based Learning and Development Pte Ltd 6 Harper Road, #06-01, Leong Huat Building, Singapore Tel: (65) , Fax: (65) [email protected] Website: U-Training Centre Pte Ltd 33 Ubi Ave 3 #04-15, Singapore Tel: (65) , Fax: (65) [email protected] Website: ST Electronics (e-services) Pte Ltd Centre for SHEQ Training Masters Workforce Institute Pte Ltd 1003 Bukit Merah Central, #01-01, Inno Centre Singapore Tel: (65) / , Fax (65) [email protected]/ [email protected] Website: 10 Arumugan Road, #07-02, Singapore Tel: (65) , Fax: (65) [email protected] Website: Page 4 of 9

5 Assessment Only Pathway as Qualifying Criteria To help employers meet the challenge of having to release workers for training, WDA has introduced the Assessment Only Pathway (AOP), aimed at allowing cleaners to obtain their Environmental Cleaning (EC) Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) certification without having to attend classroom training, but just assessment. These cleaners would either have basic cleaning qualifications or have a number of years of relevant working experience. Cleaners who are interested in the AOP would be screened before they are allowed to enroll on the AOP. Those who are eligible for AOP would be able to attempt the assessment directly. Participants taking AOP will also able to enjoy up to 90% funding for the assessment fee. Qualified cleaners will receive an EC WSQ Certificate (Certificate, Higher Certificate and Advanced Certificate) for completion of full programme, or a Statement of Attainment (SOA) for each completed module. Page 5 of 9

6 Annex D Progressive Wage Model The progressive wage requirement that will be included as a licensing condition for cleaning businesses is a targeted intervention to address cheap sourcing in the cleaning sector 1. Cheap-sourcing prevents the market from working well to translate training, standards and productivity into improved wages. When the licensing regime comes into operation, all licensed cleaning businesses will be required to pay their resident cleaners 2 progressive wages, as specified by the Commissioner for Labour (COL), based on the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) recommended by the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners (TCC). Cleaners can look forward to better wages that are commensurate with higher training, standards and productivity. It will contribute to a more motivated and competent cleaning workforce that can deliver better service and standards to buyers of cleaning services. Cleaning businesses will also be better able to attract and retain resident cleaners in the tight labour market. Businesses seeking to be licensed are required to submit their business progressive wage plan to demonstrate that they have in place a structure that enables their cleaners to upgrade and progress to their next respective wage levels. Businesses wage plans should be aligned with the sections of the TCC s PWM that apply to the work done by their cleaners and reflect wages no less than what is on the TCC s PWM. Once licensed, cleaning businesses must also ensure that they pay their resident cleaners according to the submitted progressive wage plan. Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners (TCC) The TCC was set up to develop progressive wage scales for cleaners. It is co-chaired by the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation, and comprises tripartite representatives from the Government, the unions, employers (i.e. cleaning service providers) as well as industry stakeholders such as buyers of cleaning services. The TCC released its PWM for cleaners on 18 October 2012 and has been periodically reviewing its recommendations. The TCC s PWM comprises three wage ladders for three broad categories of cleaning jobs. These three categories account for the most common types of cleaning jobs, and are based on the classification of cleaning sub-sectors used in NEA s accreditation scheme for cleaning businesses. (i) Group 1: Office and commercial buildings (ii) Group 2: Food and beverage (F&B) establishments (iii) Group 3: Conservancy sector In addition to a starting wage level, each wage ladder comprises a series of further wage points to provide a pathway for cleaners to progress to higher wages as they become better skilled, more productive or take on higher responsibilities. The progressive wage model is depicted in the below diagram. 1 The cleaning sector is prone to headcount-based contracting and contracts are typically awarded based solely on price considerations. This can result in cleaning businesses compromising on wages and employment standards of cleaners in order to be price competitive. 2 Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents Page 6 of 9

7 Diagram: The Progressive Wage Model Developed by the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners Group 1: Office & Commercial Cleaners e.g. Office, Schools, Hospitals Polyclinics Group 2: F&B Establishment e.g. Hawker Centres, Foodcourts Group 3: Conservancy e.g. Town Councils, Public Cleansing Truck Drivers (Class 4/5) $1700 Supervisor $1600 Supervisor $1600 Supervisor / Class -3 Mechanical Drivers $1600 Multi-Skilled Cleaners / Machine Operator $1400 Multi-skilled Cleaners / Machine Operator $1400 Multi-skilled Cleaners / Machine Operator / Refuse Collector $1400 Outdoor Cleaners / Inpatient Hospital Cleaners $1200 Dishwasher / Refuse Collector $1200 General Cleaners $1200 General / Outpatient / Indoor Cleaners $1000 Table-top Cleaners $1100 General Cleaners $1000 Page 7 of 9

8 Annex E Proposed Penalty Regime as in EPH (Amendment) Bill S/N Type of Offence Penalties 1 Carrying on a cleaning business without a licence Maximum fine of $10,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both For continuing offences, a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction 2 Offence for person to engage unlicensed persons Maximum fine of $10,000 For continuing offences, a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction 3 False declaration Maximum fine of $5,000 For subsequent convictions, maximum fine of $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both 4 Failure to comply with any licence condition The Director-General may impose a financial penalty of such amount, not exceeding $5,000, as the Director-General thinks fit 5 Failure to comply with any requirement under section 80M (Monitoring Powers) Maximum fine of $5,000 Page 8 of 9

9 Annex F Proposed Conditions of Licence 1) Keep and retain records of cleaning business 2) Ensure cleaners are trained and to keep training records 3) Written Contract of Service 4) Progressive wage for resident cleaners 5) Pay slip for cleaners 6) Maintain experienced / trained personnel pre-requisite Page 9 of 9