As part of the National Trades Union Congress’ (NTUC’s) ongoing efforts to better understand low-wage workers’ concerns, its Unit for Contract and Casual Workers’ (UCCW) will be organising a series of Focus Group Sessions specially dedicated to look into issues relating to this vulnerable group. This was announced at the Better Skills, Better Jobs Roadshow held today at Block 212 Bedok North Street 1, outside NTUC FairPrice.
The two-day roadshow, organised by UCCW, aims to reach out to 5,000 low-wage workers and equip them with knowledge of skills upgrading, workfare and employment rights.
The Focus Group Sessions will be held in August 2013 and involve discussions with not only the low-wage workers themselves, but also union leaders, service buyers and providers, as well as community leaders. This will enable NTUC to gather a wider range of views and perspectives. Apart from understanding the challenges and issues faced by low-wage workers, the sessions are also geared at hearing from the ground possible solutions to help low-wage workers earn better wages, gain higher respect and lead better lives.
This marks the first time a focus study approach is used by NTUC to better understand the plight of low-wage workers. The consolidated findings from the series of closed door discussions will assist NTUC in refining its existing programmes and initiatives, and shape the next course of action moving forward.
Mr Zainal Sapari, Labour MP and Director of UCCW, said, “It is important for us to continually engage with our stakeholders as we strive to remain relevant in helping our low-wage workers. I am positive that the Focus Group Sessions will provide a good platform for low-wage workers to voice their concerns, and at the same time, hear the views of the other key stakeholders. I expect the discussions to be frank, direct and constructive, and through this collective effort, NTUC will be in an even better position to push out initiatives which will be more impactful in assisting our low-wage workers.”
Better Jobs, Better Wages – Importance of Progressive Wage Model for uplifting wages of low-wage workers
At the roadshow, Mr Zainal reiterated the importance of helping low-wage workers obtain sustainable salary increases based on skills and productivity. This follows the successful push by the LM for a Progressive Wage Model (PWM) to be implemented in the cleaning industry in January this year. These efforts to help cleaners achieve better jobs and wages was further bolstered by the introduction of mandatory licensing requirements for cleaning companies in 2014, which obligates cleaning companies to provide training opportunities and put in place a proper career progression path for its cleaners. Cleaning companies are also encouraged to introduce new processes and technology to improve their productivity, and share these productivity gains with their employees.
Building on the success in the cleaning sector, plans and discussions with the unions and tripartite partners are underway to have the PWM implemented across other sectors, such as security, landscape, car park enforcement and pest control.
Better Treatment – I Care For My Cleaners Campaign
Since the launch of the I Care For My Cleaners campaign in June 2013, more than 150 organisations from the private and public sectors including unions, town councils, government agencies and grassroots organisations have shown their appreciation for their cleaners in their own ways. These included organising appreciation lunches, and presenting vouchers and red packets to their cleaners. Many of these efforts are captured on the campaign’s official Facebook page – facebook.com/icareformycleaners.
The LM continues to advocate the importance of respecting and valuing every worker through its various worker-centric initiatives such as the I Care For My Cleaners campaign. It hopes that the campaign will continue to gain momentum and become an annual appreciation event.
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