Some 300 cleaners around Singapore were shown there are being appreciated when Building Construction And Timber Industries Employees’ Union (BATU) distributed care packages on 16 February 2020.
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng shared in a Facebook post on the same day: “Our cleaners too are on the frontline in our fight against Covid-19. They play an essential part in ensuring our hospitals, homes, malls, buses, trains and workplaces are kept clean. They work hard and are now working even harder as cleaning activities have been stepped up.”
The care packages were distributed to general and outdoor cleaners at the Nanyang Technological University, Suntec City and Millenia Walk.
Outsourced cleaning company ISS Facilities Services Pte Ltd has also seen cleaners taking additional duties to keep the environment clean at Suntec City.
Said ISS supervisor Adrian Low: " There are more things for the cleaners to look out for as the mall is quite huge. We must be vigilant about the dos and donts and also ensure proper hand washing.
"The cleaners have been taught to disinfectant every touch point like handrails, door handles and lift buttons. This is done every hour as there are children who come into contact with these, including the playground. We need to ensure they are safe for use."
Mr Ng also had a breakfast engagement session with environmental cleaning specialists from Spic & Span, a commercial cleaning social enterprise that aims to provide good jobs to marginalised Singaporeans.
To widen its show of appreciation, BATU will be distributing 4,000 care packages to cleaners over the next few weeks.
Each of the care packages contained five pieces of surgical masks, two packets of green tea, a hand sanitiser and a bottle of medicated oil.
The care packages were put together by BATU union leaders, staff as well as NTUC Industrial Relations Officers.
The surgical masks were sponsored by Raduga Pte Ltd, hand sanitisers by Spic & Span, and the medicated oil by LKF Medical Co. Pte Ltd.
Commenting on this initiative, BATU Executive Secretary Zainal Sapari said: “Day in and out, our cleaners are working very hard to ensure that we all have a clean environment to live and work in.
“Some of them have been putting in extra effort and hours, especially those who look after public spaces. It is therefore only right that we do our part to support our cleaners in any way we can, to help them look after their own health.”
“Let’s cheer our cleaning crew on and appreciate what they do. Well done BATU, Raduga, Spic & Span and LKF Medical for showing them we care.
“So, the next time you see your cleaning crew, please give them a wave and say thank you,” added Mr Ng.
