Waste Management Workers to Benefit from New Progressive Wage Model Recommendations
The Government accepts the Tripartite Cluster for Waste Management (TCWM) recommendations to:
- Outline clear career progression pathways within the Waste Collection and Materials Recovery sub-sectors as part of the new Waste Management Progressive Wage Model (PWM);
- Stipulate mandatory Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) training requirements across all job roles;
- Set a six-year schedule of sustained PWM wage increases from 2023 to 2028, with initial PWM wage levels taking effect from 1 July 2023; and
- Introduce a mandatory annual PWM bonus for eligible workers from January 2024.
2 The TCWM’s recommendations will ensure significant and sustainable wage growth, as well as clear training and career progression pathways, to benefit up to 3,000 resident waste management workers.
Career Progression Pathways for Waste Collection and Materials Recovery Sub-sectors
3 As part of the TCWM’s deliberations, separate career ladders are proposed for the Waste Collection and Materials Recovery sub-sectors. The Government accepts both career ladders, which will provide workers with clear pathways to higher wages, better skills, and increased job responsibilities.
Increased Productivity through Mandatory WSQ Training Requirements
4 The Government also accepts the TCWM’s recommendations to upskill workers through setting mandatory training requirements. The training requirements will provide waste management workers with the knowledge and skills to carry out their work safely and efficiently. Under the new recommendations, entry-level workers will need to obtain a minimum of two WSQ training modules, with higher number of WSQ modules for higher-level job roles. Waste management firms are recommended to ensure that their workers attain the training requirements by 1 Jul 2023.
Six-Year Schedule of Sustained Wage Increases
5 The Government accepts the six-year schedule of sustained PWM wages, which will take effect from 1 July 2023, with a review scheduled for 2025.
6 With the recommended PWM wage schedule, the monthly baseline wage of an entry-level waste collection crew worker is expected to increase from $2,210 in 2023 to $3,260 in 2028. This translates to a growth rate of 48% over the six-year period, and is consistent with the guidance by the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers (TWG-LWW) to ensure our lower-wage workers have meaningful and sustained wage growth to gain ground with the median worker.
Mandatory Annual PWM Bonus
7 The Government also accepts TCWM’s recommendations to implement a mandatory annual PWM bonus for eligible waste management workers from January 2024. This will enable employers to better attract and retain waste management workers, and complement their efforts to invest in their workers’ training to enhance productivity.
Continued Effort to Uplift Wages and Well-Being of Lower-Wage Workers
8 The TCWM recommendations build on the work of the TWG-LWW, and signal the tripartite partners’ resolve to further uplift the wages and well-being of our lower-wage workers. Waste management workers provide essential services that keep Singapore clean. It is vital that we continue to support the waste management industry in creating a more skilled and productive workforce, with more attractive careers for its workers.
9 Waste Management is the first new sector to announce PWM recommendations this year. This is in line with recommendations by the TWG-LWW to expand sectoral progressive wages and uplift more lower-wage workers. Progressive Wages are expected to cover up to 94% of full-time lower-wage workers in Singapore by 2023.
10 The Tripartite Cluster for Waste Management Report is available online at www.ntuc.org.sg/tripartiteguidelines