3.1.2. Subcontracting
The factor of competition is closely linked to subcontracting. Companies have progressively outsourced
their cleaning activities in order to reduce costs. Since the financial aspect is important, the pressure of
cutting costs is shifted towards the cleaning companies that are, however, confronted with very strong
constraints from the customer regarding work quality, working hours and price. Customers very often
seem to base their business decisions on the financial issues alone and pay less attention to the health
and safety of workers.
Impact of subcontracting on the workforce
The reality of subcontracting leads to very specific occupational situations for cleaners.
They work on the premises of the customer, and are thus directly affected by the working conditions of
the customer but are not in the position to negotiate improvements in these working conditions. In
addition, if a new or next contract is negotiated with another customer, their work situation and
conditions can change from one day to another but they have no possibility to have a say on this.
Cleaners are caught in between being under pressure from the customer as well as from their own
employer. [2]