The Cleaning Industry continues to experience new challenges despite collaborative efforts made by the relevant stakeholders. These challenges are part and parcel of an ever-evolving ecosystem.
Whilst many of us will encounter insurmountable problems ahead, we should see purpose and the opportunity to rise above all the challenges. Notably, the challenges are immense but so is our capacity for innovation and impact.
Just look at how far we have all come — we are no longer simply providers of cleaning services. We are resource managers leading the charge towards a circular economy that embraces new technologies and innovations. Relying less on manpower but leveraging on AI capabilities and data analytics are the way forward. Upskilling our available resources and ensuring a future-proof economy is our goal to create a sustainable environment. All of these are not mutually exclusive but are necessary for us to transform and rise to the next level.
To achieve all of these, we cannot do it alone. Our success hinges on collaborations with our partners at National Environment Agency (NEA), Workforce Singapore (WSG), Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Built Environment and Urban Trades Employees’ Union (BATU) and National Trade Union Congress (NTUC). Other strategic partners such as Enviro Tech Innovation Hub (ETIH), Institute of Higher Learnings (IHL) and our associate members are also vital to our transformation journey.
For the new term ahead, it is imperative that EMAS continues to drive the initiative to be an auditing and accreditation body for the cleaning industry. This will, in turn, enable cleaning companies to objectively deliver optimum value to justify the higher cost in cleaning expenditure due to inflation and the progressive wage model (PWM).
To achieve this, EMAS will need to attract micro-SMEs and SMEs to join the association and to reap the benefits of the Outcome Based Contracting (OBC) seminars and learning journeys, technology connect sessions, HR seminars etc. which will otherwise be a challenge for these entities.
EMAS will continue to bridge service providers to service buyers and agencies to collectively tackle the many challenging situations which hinder transformation and are counteractive to our productivity and efficiency journey. Thereafter, the cleaning ecosystem can be improved to be more sustainable for the economy, environment, and the human capital.
Our work is more than a business. We are building a future where our world will be a cleaner place for all of us to work and live in. So let us come together to leave a legacy for the future. Let us all pull in the same direction to achieve our goals.
Mr Andrew Ang
President (2025 – 2027)
Environmental Management Association of Singapore