Source: Schoonmakend Nederland
Cleaning Netherlands: ‘For that money, we can do it too. And better.’
Cleaning Netherlands urges politicians to halt the contracting out of cleaning work by the state. This in response to the letter From the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment on the by KPMG investigated (cost) developments of the National Cleaning Organisation (RSO). According to the industry association, there are no longer any valid arguments to be made for this outsourcing. Piet Adema, chairman Schoonmakend Nederland: ‘Our industry safeguards the same social objectives as RSO. Indeed, besides job security and healthy working conditions, we as a sector offer more prospects for employees than the State. Inside and outside the sector. Moreover, outsourcing is at odds with a central government that needs to work more cheaply, flexibly and efficiently. The RSO enlarges the collective sector and destroys jobs in the private sector. The RSO structurally costs the taxpayer many millions extra per year.
Adema: ‘Our cleaners play an indispensable role in every phase of our lives, even the most critical ones. Corona has made that clear once and for all. To be and remain of added value, the market must be able to continue to do its work. Since the introduction of the Responsible Market Conduct Code in 2011, the industry has made great strides. There are now numerous good examples of excellent collaboration in the chain between clients, contractors and employees, as the recent election of the Best Practice Award again shows. Today, the cleaning industry is a mature industry offering meaningful work to just under 120,000 employees. An industry full of opportunities and possibilities.’
Substantially more expensive
The minister also notes in his letter that the cleaning industry has taken the necessary steps. Consequently, the industry no longer sees any reason for the state to prefer outsourcing over contracting out. Adema: ‘Especially since outsourcing structurally costs the taxpayer many millions more. The RSO is up to some 60% more expensive compared to the market, This is how we calculated. This while a virtually budget-neutral takeover was the goal when the work was contracted out. Among other things, the costs are much higher because totally wrong assumptions were made in the business case. For years, the central government tendered for the lowest price and short-term contracts. That it is now apparently willing and able to pull out the purse strings when tendering is simply not fair. We can do it for the same price. And - as a specialist - also better.’
Encourage outsourcing professional service providers
Adema, incidentally, does not think that this urgent appeal means the end of the RSO. ‘We urge the State to encourage outsourcing to the market of professional service providers (identifiable by OSB Hallmark) in particular. The cleaning industry is crucial for a healthy, well-functioning society. It is an industry with a right to exist. Everyone, right down to our king and outgoing prime minister, is aware of this. Now all that remains is the Chamber.
English (UK)