3. Contextual framework
Several aspects that are part of a larger socio-economic context have an impact on the working
conditions in the sector and the safety, health and wellbeing of the workforce.
3.1. Competition and subcontracting
3.1.1. Competition
The cleaning sector has undergone constant rationalisation from the 1980s onwards aiming at
improving the productivity and cutting costs [2]. A large number of companies, many of them being
small and medium size enterprises are under constant competitive pressure.
According to a joint study developed by the Free University of Brussels with a field study in three
European countries (Belgium, Spain, UK), unfair competition is an important factor shaping the sector.
Other factors that have an important effect and are causing a strong competition include:
Undeclared or illegal employment,
Low or no skill requirements to get a job in the profession
Customers asking for the cheapest solution and contracting the service company that can provide
the best price. [12]
Since approximately 80% of the costs billed to the customers are labour costs, cost-cutting often means
reducing the number of staff, increasing work intensity, deteriorating the standards of the health and
safety conditions, etc. Some companies do not respect labour laws and drive down prices. Cleaning
services are sometimes offered at prices that are below the national minimum wage or the collectively
agreed minimum. The pressure on the enterprises also has a negative effect on the quality of the
services, which in the long run can jeopardise the revenue of the sector. [12]
All these factors leave very little room for a long-term vision and investments and have a clear negative
effect on the working conditions and the training possibilities of the workers.
In addition, this situation hinders the establishment of a good policy for retaining workers in work. The
sector is not always perceived very positively, companies face difficulties in retaining and recruiting
qualified people. Jobs in the cleaning industry have traditionally suffered from low status and a lack of
training and career opportunities. [2] [12]