Summary Reader Response Draft 4

GERMii's article on "How tech can ease the cleaning industry's manpower crunch," published on GovInsider (2021), discusses the integration of technology along with the demand for manpower in the cleaning industry in Singapore. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased demand for cleanliness (Haltren, 2021). The article mentions the goal for the implementation of robots and the transformation with the integration of man and machine in the workforce. 

GERMii (2021) discusses the aim of implementing robots into our everyday lives. Most people would presume that robots would replace humans in the workforce as they may be more efficient than employees. However, it is evident that rather than replacing, the robots can take care of more menial tasks such as mopping and sweeping while cleaning staff can dedicate their time to disinfecting services which are much more sought after during the pandemic. Moreover, companies can embrace the evolution of the integration of man and machine in the workforce. The article mentioned that in order to ensure that both robots and humans can coexist harmoniously in the workforce, many companies are spending money to up-skill their workers by sending them to courses to educate them on how to operate these robots safely and efficiently. In addition, workers are sent to attend more lessons for deployment for more customer-centric jobs within the organisation. 

The adoption of cleaning robots integrated to meet the cleaning industry's needs has a positive impact on the cleaning industry in terms of efficiency as well as improving workplace retention. Even though some may argue that employees are being replaced by robots, employees are able to learn new skills and upgrade themselves (Kok, 2021). 

Efficiency can be enhanced through the integration of cleaning robots and the cleaning industry’s needs. In partnership with Globotix, Changi Airport deployed robot cleaners which would increase the productivity of the cleaning teams. According to Quek (2018), these robot cleaners deliver industry-leading cleaning plans and detailed reports, all of which can be accessed through a highly sophisticated web app. Utilising the web app that provides real time analytics for operations and cleaning teams, Changi Airport would make flying a much enjoyable experience (Sheikh, 2018). In addition, several multi-purpose robots which not only clean floors but also disinfect lift panels are being tested at Tampines Round Market (Choo, 2020). Tampines Town Council stated that these cleaning robots relieve the repetitive tasks of cleaners so that they can perform higher-value roles such as maintaining these robots. These improved robots also allow employees to have more time to perform customer-focused tasks. 

Furthermore, technology is used to help the industry cope with the labour shortage Chung (2021). According to Lim (2022), cleaning firms are so short of staff that they have to turn down new jobs or give up on existing contracts. Cleaning robots can ease the workers’ workload and manage manpower restrictions. Initiatives to attract and retain local talent have been established. Some initiatives include workshops to upskill workers and higher salary increments planned for the next six years under the Progressive Wage Model (PWM). These initiatives aim to uplift the image of the industry as well as attract and retain local talent which fills the manpower shortage with the implementation of cleaning robots. 

Despite these benefits, many people feel that their livelihoods are threatened. A study by Oxford Economics stated that up to 20 million manufacturing jobs will be lost globally to robots by 2030 (Chong, 2019). With workers in Singapore displaced by technology, employees would have to be more adaptable to evolving demands. In an article by Kok (2021), a total of 13 cleaning robots are currently deployed at Circle Line stations which can clean faster up to three times in comparison to their human counterparts. These robots could be viewed as a threat by employees as they prove to be more efficient. 

However, SMRT stated that the goal for the deployment of cleaning robots is aimed to allow more time for cleaning staff to improve their skills instead of replacing them. Cleaners will be trained to manage several cleaning robots, in turn allowing them to perform other duties such as disinfecting high-contact touch points. These cleaners would be trained to manage these robots which includes troubleshooting minor issues. In addition, these classes have made working with the robots simple and new skills learned could potentially aid him in his career progression (Velu, 2021). In conclusion, the implementation of cleaning robots that are integrated to fulfil the needs of the cleaning industry have produced fruitful outcomes such as increased efficiency and improved workplace retention. Cleaning robots are filling in the shortage of manpower in the industry and complementing the cleaning staff. 

References 

Avidbots Neo Intelligent Floor Cleaning Robots to be Deployed at Changi Airport in Singapore. (2018, July 17). Avidbots. https://avidbots.com/news/avidbots-news-avidbots-neo-intelligent-floor-cleaning-robots-to-be-deployed-at-changi-airport-in-singapore/ 

Choo. (2020, September 19). Robots that clean floors, chase pigeons away among technologies being tested at Tampines food centre. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/robots-for-cleaning-floors-disinfecting-lift-panels-among-technologies-being-tested-at 

Chong. (2019, June 26). Robots to wipe out 20 million jobs around the world by 2030: Study. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/robots-to-wipe-out-20-million-jobs-around-the-world-by-2030-study 

Chung. How can Singapore’s cleaning industry prepare for an ‘endemic’? (n.d.). https://govinsider.asia/intl-en/article/how-can-singapores-cleaning-industry-prepare-for-an-endemic-nea-dalson-chung 

GERMii. (2021). How tech can ease the cleaning industry’s manpower crunch. (n.d.). https://govinsider.asia/intl-en/article/how-tech-can-ease-the-cleaning-industrys-manpower-crunch-robots-germii 

Kok. (2021, February 3). Cleaning robots deployed at Circle Line stations. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/cleaning-robots-deployed-at-circle-line-stations 

Lim. (2022, April 18). S'pore cleaning firms lose staff after Malaysia border fully reopens. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/shortage-of-cleaners-in-spore-worsens-after-malaysia-border-fully-reopens?close=true 

Chew. (2021, June 19). What would it take to attract younger workers to the cleaning industry? CNA. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-cleaning-industry-pwm-young-people-jobs-1959021 

SoftBank Robotics Team. (2022, July 25). 6 Unexpected Benefits of Automated Cleaning Equipment. Softbank Robotics. https://us.softbankrobotics.com/blog/benefits-of-automated-cleaning-equipment

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