EFCI’S STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSAL FOR AN EU DIRECTIVE ON MINIMUM WAGES

After two rounds of public consultations (on February and September 2020) to which the EFCI actively contributed as the recognised Social Partner for the industrial cleaning sector, on 28 October the European Commission finally presented its proposal for an EU Directive on minimum wages.

On the basis of its replies to the public consultations leading to it, the EFCI issued a statement on 6 November gathering its initial views and concerns on the Commission’s initiative, which is of direct relevance for the sector.

In particular, the EFCI considers that the proposal (i) is opening the door for political interference in wage-setting mechanisms and goes beyond the limits of Union action established in article 153 (5) TFEU; (ii) lacks preliminary assessment of the impact that the proposal might have at sectoral level (especially in labour intensive industries),  (iii) fails to focus on the much-needed capacity building for Social partners, and needs to be preceded or accompanied by (iv) more effective measures against undeclared work and (v) the need for a decisive shift towards quality services in public procurement.

Given this relevant initial concerns, in the framework of its social affairs committee the EFCI will intensively work with its stakeholders to ensure that the above considerations are taken into account in the institutional negotiations that will take place in the coming months.

To EFCI’s statement on the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on adequate minimum wages in the EU

EFCI MEMBERS SUPPORT THE SECTOR THROUGH COVID-19

    BIV(DE):

On 4 November BIV announced in a press release that an agreement on sectoral minimum wages was reached with their Social Partner IG BAU after four rounds of negotiations. The sectoral minimum wage will rise to € 11.11 (+2.9%) from 2021, to € 11.55 (+3.9%) from 2022 and to € 12 (+3.9%) from 2023. In the press release, Christian Kloevekorn, negotiator for the BIV, explains how “long term planning and steady wage increases are important for the security of the companies and clients in view of the uncertain future caused by Covid-19, this is a very valuable asset.”

 

On 25 November BIV launched the second phase of the national campaign “#Rückendeckung”. The campaign kicked off on social media with videos and banners to promote the sectors’ attractiveness and relevance to society in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and at large. The image of the campaign are 15 faces among BIV’s cleaning operators and facility managers. Their testimonials show passion and commitment to their essential work. “The pandemic has given our sector more attention and relevance. Our current collective agreement also fits in well with this attractive overall picture. The campaign is intended to bring the future viability of our industry into the public focus in a sympathetic and attention-grabbing manner” says Federal Guild Master Thomas Dietrich, who emphasised the good timing of the campaign. For more information about it, follow BIV’s twitter and or visit their website.

 

 

 

 

ANIP (IT):

ANIP’s President Lorenzo Mattioli was interviewed on Wednesday 18 November by the Italian TV Channel Rai News 24. Pres. Mattiolli underlined the relevance of implementing professional sanification operations especially in school facilities. He also pointed to the importance of avoiding the internalisation of these services, even more so, during a public health crisis.  Further, on 24 November and in the context of the negotiations over the Italian financial maneuver, President Mattioli underlined in a Press Release  how sanitisation protocols in high contact zones should be made compulsory and called for greater and easier access to tax credits for professional cleaning companies performing such operations.

 

 

 

 

 

FEP (FR):

On November 13 FEP issued two new infographics complementing the “Practical Guide on COVID-19”, issued in April 2020. The documents will support French cleaning companies in implementing recommendations on PPE and cleaning operating methods in accordance with the national deconfinement protocols. Overall FEP’s infographics now cover protocols for cleaning of common parts of buildings, transport, offices, sales areas and general logistics.

 

EFCI’S PRESIDENT AT THE WFBSC’S “EUROPEAN CONTRACTOR ROUNDTABLE”

The European Contractor Roundtable, organized by the World Federation of Building Service Contractors WFBSC in the framework of a series of online events on the impact of COVID-19 on the sector,  opened with a reflection on the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic brings to the European cleaning and facility services industry and how companies are addressing them.  Juan Díez de los Ríos underlined the crucial role of national and European sectoral organisations to face the impact of lockdowns on the sector.

Juan Díez de los Ríos underlined his experience and how ASPEL could act as a catalysis for unity and solidarity among members and non-member companies and promote a coordinated approach to face the severe impact of suspended public contracts (40% of the market) or cancelations by private buyers (60%). From a European perspective, he underlined that the EFCI had a key role in voicing the industry’s needs for personal protective equipment and ensuring that  the cleaning sector’s specific recommendations for targeted support measures were acted upon at national and European level.

Reflecting on the future of the industry he convened with Ton Goedmakers (Vebego International B.V.) on the collective responsibility that the sector has in seizing the opportunity this crisis offered for accelerated digitalisation and sustainability as well as increased visibility and acknowledgment of cleaning agents’ essential work. In this regard, Juan Díez de los Ríos agreed with Mr Goedmakers on the essential role of sectoral organisations at national and European level will have to ensure that “we take these achievements into the future of the industry instead of going back to the “old normal”.

The full recording of the webcast is available at www.wfbsc.org/webcasts. For more information on the upcoming WFBSC webcasts, please follow the link: https://www.wfbsc.org/Events/Webcasts.