1,300 lift and escalator technicians to benefit from enhanced progressive wage model

TECHNICIANS in the lift and escalator industry are getting a boost, as the Singapore government on Friday accepted recommendations from the Tripartite Cluster for Lift and Escalator Industry (TCLE) to increase wages and implement annual bonuses.

Sustained wage increases over six years, from 2023 to 2029, will see basic monthly wages of an entry-level technician grow from S$1,850 in 2022 to over S$3,000 by 2029, a joint press statement from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Ministry of Manpower noted, and will work to narrow the income gaps with the average worker. (see Amendment note)

Additionally, the current Lift Progressive Wage Model (PWM) will also shift to include escalator maintenance workers from 2022.

Currently, there are a total of 168 lift and 91 escalator contractors registered with BCA, and around 3,050 lift and escalator (L&E) maintenance workers. According to a BCA survey, Singapore residents make up 1,300 of the L&E workforce while the other 1,750 are work pass holders.

TCLE estimates that about half of current resident L&E workers are above 50 years old and expected to retire within the next decade.

Zainal Sapari, NTUC assistant director-general and chairman of the TCLE, said: "Like many other essential service workers, our L&E maintenance workers have specialised skill sets to ensure the smooth running of our lifts and escalators."

The newly adopted recommendations will therefore work to recognise their importance and value, and attract more workers to meet demands.

And while the Lift PWM was introduced as a voluntary scheme in 2018, the recent bout of recommendations will make PWM adoption a mandatory registration requirement for all lift and escalator maintenance firms from July 2022.

"With the PWM recommendations, the industry will be able to provide a clear career path and wage ladder," said Singapore Lift & Escalator Contractors & Manufacturers Association president James Lee.

"As a service provider, I hope service buyers can recognise and appreciate the value of services provided by their team of lift maintenance workers," Mr Lee said.

Amendment note: An earlier version of the story said that the wage increase schedule will help increase a S$1,850 basic monthly wage in 2021 to over S$3,000 by 2029. MOM has since clarified that the S$1,850 basic monthly wage is from 2022 instead.