The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources will propose a law to introduce mandatory licensing by all cleaning companies by 2014.

Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Ms Grace Fu, said this in Parliament on Tuesday.

This law, if passed, will set the standards that all cleaning companies must meet before they can operate. Staff from cleaning companies will have to undergo mandatory training courses and the management of these companies must introduce progressive wage models for cleaners.

With training and a progressive wage model, cleaners can look forward to better lives, noted Ms Fu who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.