BIV (DE)
Die Gebäudedienstleister
Dedicated website Providing information for members.
Technical Information and Support:
- 20/04/2020, Guide for cleaning companies on the necessary measures to implement in the context of the reopening of schools. The guide includes:
(i) Necessary measures prior to the reopening,
(ii) Scope and frequency of the cleaning and disinfection operations,
(iii) Selection of cleaning products and disinfectants,
The original documents in German are available here: Note for members (DE), Recommended actions (DE)
The English translations are available here: Note for members (EN), Recommended actions (EN) - 19/03/2020, Public statement by the Private Security and industrial cleaning employers’ associations.
Health insurance companies to pay wages earlier in the event of illness – short-time work allowance also for marginally employed people (mini-jobs)
(1) The businesses and employees of both service sectors are severely affected by the cancellation of all noteworthy events, travel, reduction of public transport, closure of schools, kindergartens and industrial production.
(2) Sickness rates have risen from an average of 8 percent to 35 percent, and the trend is rising and therefore unaffordable.
(3) The sickness allowance paid by the health insurance companies must be paid for a certain period from the first day, at the latest after the 1st week. (Currently paid only after six).
(4) For this, the health insurance companies must receive a corresponding tax-financed subsidy.
(5) The Private Security and industrial cleaning associations welcome the regulation to simplify short-time work allowances. However, around 290,000 marginally employed people (mini jobs) in both industries are not entitled to short-time allowances. During the corona crisis, the regulation for short-time work allowances must also apply to marginally employed people (mini jobs). It cannot be the case that marginally employed people who urgently depend on their additional earnings are now the losers of the crisis.
(6) Another requirement to avoid the insolvency of the companies concerned is to withdraw the prepayment of social security contributions during the crisis. This was already introduced in 2005 for the liquidity of the social insurance institutions.
Documents shared internally with membership
(1) on general health/safety procedures, Link
(2) on exceptional measures by the Federal Government, Link
(3) on current German legislation for parental paid and unpaid leave, Link (06/03/2020)
Advocacy and Regulatory Actions:
- 16/04/2020, Nationwide light projection
“Cleaning & hygiene more important than ever! We are here for you. The industrial cleaning sector”- was the message projected on several monuments all over Germany in the past few evenings. The action was part of the campaign #Support (#Rückendeckung), which the BIV launched since the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
See the images here. - 06/04/2020, A public consultation performed by the independent social research consultancy Forsa revealed that 96% of the German population consider the role of cleaning agents to be important or very import to fight against Covid19. The study reveals that the public appreciation for the industrial cleaning services has significantly increased during the coronavirus pandemic. The figure strongly contrasts with the fact that only a 71% of the population would consider the sector as essential prior to the outbreak.
Read the full report here
Social Media:
- Rückendeckung: Wir geben Deutschland Sicherheit
BIV launched the campaign “Support: we provide safety to Germany” highlighting the essential role of the cleaning industry in safeguarding public health and the need to provide cleaning agents with all necessary protective equipment. - Tweet: message to thank all health workers, cleaners, supermarket staff and teachers
- Tweet: public call to a temporary cancellation of social security contributions to guarantee liquidity to companies.