ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Juan Díez de los Rios, president of EFCI, looks ahead to the association’s activities for 2022, representing the contract cleaning sector at EU level.

Dear colleagues,
I am happy to address you in this first EFCI contribution to the ECJ in 2022, a year that we are convinced will still show the resilience and strength of our industry, despite the continuous challenges that we inherit from 2021.

Among others we see across Europe the increasing problematic nature of staff shortages, the increasing regulatory pressure and what I like to call “dictatorship of price”. Despite all this, our sector continues to grow across the continent, and the recognition that it has received through the pandemic puts it even more in the spotlight.

We have, therefore, a unique opportunity to advance in the deserved recognition that shall imply enhanced staff attraction and retention, an adequate valuation of quality over price in the selection of our services and of course, a better dialogue with policymakers, who shall better take into account our suggestions and needs in their legislative developments.

All the above, evidently, shows the need for strong industry associations, both at national and European level. Well-functioning national and European associations are not only stronger in lobbying and communication, but also a great place for knowledge sharing. I am grateful for the strong cooperation that we are achieving within the EFCI, which this year will implement further and relevant actions to the benefit of the sector across Europe.

In 2021 we happily welcomed the UK Cleaning & Support Services Association (CSSA) into our membership, and we are looking forward to continuing to welcome the associations from those countries which are not yet members of our European federation. Moreover, very soon we will present a renewed format of our EFCI Circle, that intends to serve as a platform for networking and cooperation between companies and sector-related organisations.

The increased relevance and recognition of our sector highlights the need for joint advocacy on the pressing topics we face. Only at EU level, in 2022 the sector faces important challenges, such as the revision of the future of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue, the final stages of the discussions on the proposals for a directive on adequate minimum wages or pay transparency, or the many developments regarding sustainability that will impact cleaning activities.

In addition, we look forward to the publication of the results of the SK-Clean project, the first EU-funded project managed by the EFCI on its own, that will be a great basis for recognition of training and digitalisation in the sector.

I am looking forward to continuing to work for the sector at EU level with all my colleagues and peers.  I am convinced that, through continuous strong cooperation, we will be able to turn the many challenges 2022 will bring into opportunities for the development of the sector’s full potential in the coming years.

I hope to see you soon, in person, at the events and meetings we will organise this year. We are also looking forward to welcoming the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards to Brussels in April, as an event that will enhance the recognition of the sector at the heart of the EU. With this programme ahead of us, undoubtedly, it is time to work!

Juan Díez de los Ríos
EFCI president