1,800 Workers will be covered by the new Progressive Wage Model for the Pest Management Sector
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), together with Pest Management industry stakeholders, have agreed to expand the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) to the Pest Management sector.
2 About 1,800 full-time and part-time resident pest management workers, including licenced vector control technicians and workers will benefit from sustainable wage increases and clearer career pathways. A sustainable wage increase approach ensures employers reward workers proportionately to their enhanced skills and productivity outcomes.
3 To develop and oversee the implementation of the PWM, the Tripartite Cluster for Pest Management (TCPM) is being set up and will be guided by the following objectives:
i. To develop the PWM for the resident pest management workforce, including wages, wage ladders, training requirements and progression pathways;
ii. To develop strategies to support progression up the PWM career ladder for sustainable wage increases that correspond with higher responsibilities, better skills and improvements in productivity and standards;
iii. To enhance workforce professionalism and industry’s image; and
iv. To monitor compliance with the PWM and its impact on the industry.
4 The TCPM will be chaired by Dr Wan Rizal, Director of Stakeholder Management, Career Services and Partnership Group at NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), and co-chaired by Mr Kung Teong Wah, SNEF representative and Cluster General Manager of PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering and PARKROYAL COLLECTION on Beach Road. It will comprise representatives from industry associations (representing service providers and service buyers), unions, and government agencies. The composition of the TCPM is in Annex A.
5 Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State, MOM, said, “The expansion of the PWM to the pest management sector is the next step in our collective efforts to uplift our workers through structured wage increases and skills and productivity improvements. Pest management workers play a key role in safeguarding public health and mitigating vector-borne diseases, and the expansion of the PWM to this sector recognises the expertise and importance of these workers. MOM remains committed to collaborating with our tripartite partners to support our workers, while balancing the needs of businesses.”
6 Mr Melvin Yong, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the NTUC Care Division, said, “NTUC welcomes the introduction of the PWM to the pest management sector to uplift our workers who play an important role in safeguarding public health. I have advocated for the expansion of PWM to more sectors and I am glad this marks a significant step towards helping more workers. The pest management industry is an essential sector that plays a critical role in maintaining public hygiene and protecting our living environment. NTUC will continue to work closely with our tripartite partners, through the PWM, to uplift wages, raise productivity, strengthen career progression, and ensure workers in this sector receive the recognition they deserve.”
7 Dr Wan Rizal, Chairman of the TCPM, added that “Pest management work requires specialised skills, from detecting pest activities and applying pest control measures, to handling chemicals safely to reduce public health risks. With our densely populated built environment including housing estates and food establishments, just to name a few, the job of a pest management worker is critical and demanding. With the PWM and the support of TCPM members, I believe we can help further professionalise the sector and enable our pest management workers to progress with better skills and higher productivity. I look forward to working closely with the TCPM members to develop a clear career pathway, propose requisite training requirements that commensurate with PWM wage requirements, as well as identify innovative solutions to raise productivity and professionalise the sector. This will help improve consistency in service standards and give workers stronger recognition for their expertise.”
8 Mr Kung Teong Wah, Co-Chair of the TCPM and SNEF representative, said, “Coming from the hospitality industry, I have seen firsthand the essential role that pest management workers play in maintaining safe and healthy environments for businesses and the wider community. As we develop the Pest Management PWM, we must ensure that the PWM wage requirements are sustainable and take into account business realities, including cost pressures, manpower constraints and productivity levels. This will enable employers to support meaningful wage progression for pest management workers while remaining competitive and continuing to deliver quality services. SNEF looks forward to working closely with tripartite partners, service providers and service buyers to develop a model that uplifts these workers, strengthens their skills and career pathways, and supports the long-term sustainability of the pest management industry.”
9 Mr Clement Tan, President of Singapore Pest Management Association said, “The introduction of the Pest Management PWM represents an important step towards strengthening workforce progression and enhancing professionalism within the industry. Its successful implementation will help establish a level playing field that supports fair competition across the sector. Collectively, these efforts will contribute to attracting skilled talent and elevating professional standards.”
10 The TCPM will consult and engage industry stakeholders in the coming months to ensure that the PWM is sustainable and tailored to the specific conditions of the sector in order to effectively uplift Pest Management workers, while supporting business competitiveness.