Plans for higher minimum wage irresponsible for our industry

It was recently announced that the European Commission intends to raise minimum wages across Europe. Speaking to the AWVN, director of Schoonmakend Nederland Rob Rommelse stated that a higher minimum wage is irresponsible for the cleaning sector in the Netherlands.

If it is up to Brussels, 24 million Europeans will start earning a lot more in two years at the latest. The minimum wage would go up in 25 of the 27 European member states, to at least 14 euros in the Netherlands. This would be a substantial financial jump for cleaners in our country. But it has consequences.

Earlier, we wrote the article there New European minimum wage: dark cloud or clear sky? about it. In it, employer organisations and trade unions explained their position on the proposal in Brussels in an initial reaction.

Higher minimum wage irresponsible

The AWVN indicates that it could just be that the minimum wage could rise by as much as 40 per cent as a result of the European introduction. Irresponsible, Rommelse believes on behalf of the Dutch cleaning companies. “Not only with a view to costs - 85 per cent of a cleaning contractor's costs consist of wage costs - but especially from a social perspective. Our industry is a leader in inclusive employment and strong in helping people find and keep jobs at the bottom of the labour market. With such a sharp increase in the minimum wage, we as a sector face a very difficult challenge to maintain our important and valuable social function.”

Cleaning pays well

Rommelse seizes on the conversation with AWVN to reiterate that cleaning offers well-paid jobs: “The cleaning sector pays cleaners well and already well above the minimum wage. People start at 110 per cent and then progress to 125 per cent in four steps. AWVN is going to produce a benchmark for us on how our wage structure compares with those in other, similar sectors, so that we can get an even sharper insight into our position.”

Cross-sector discussion

Rommelse calls for the discussion on the minimum wage to be much broader than just at the sector level. “This way, all consequences can be mapped out. A sharp increase in the minimum wage affects the whole of the Netherlands. On employment, on the level of benefits, on the prices of products and services.”