From November onwards, 2,500 Singaporean cleaners engaged by 15 PAP town councils will get a pay raise and more skills training.

The cleaners will come under a new wage scheme, where starting pay will go up from an average of $1,000 to $1,200. The change comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the town councils and their 19 contractors.

Workers will also be trained in cleaning areas such as lift landings and corridors, as well as operating machinery. They will also be entitled to benefits such as annual leave and overtime pay.

"We would like to increase productivity, improve their skills and their salaries, so as to provide better services for our residents," said Dr Teo Ho Pin, coordinating chairman of the PAP-run town councils.