ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

The European Cleaning and Facility Services Industry (EFCI) is the recognised European social partner by the European Commission for our sector. This it is the interlocutor of the European institutions for social matters, but also for all other policy projects affecting the industry.

But firstly, it means EFCI is invited to maintain an active dialogue with the trade unions. Since 1999, the EFCI and UNI-Europa (the Europeans services workers union), have formally engaged in the Industrial Cleaning Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (SSDC).

The European Social Dialogue is a useful tool made available by the European Commission. Not only does it foster a greater understanding between social partners at a supranational level, but it also makes it possible to work on projects promoting the overall interest and reinforcing the image of the sector. More generally, it intends to contribute to improving the business environment, sustainable employment and working conditions in the cleaning industry.

Purpose and organisation of the European Social Dialogue

The European social dialogue is a place for discussion, negotiation and joint actions involving organisations representing the two sides of the industry. To enhance the discussions and meetings, the SSDCs receive the financial support of the European Commission. The Industrial Cleaning SSDC (covering activities defined by NACE class 81.2) meets four times per year, including one plenary meeting annually.

Meetings are chaired by a representative of the Commission who provides the secretariat for the committee. The respective secretariats of the social partners prepare the agendas and are follow-up the work throughout the year, developing projects and co-drafting joint statements.

Main achievements in the Industrial Cleaning SSDC

The EFCI and UNI-Europa have intensively worked on interesting projects during recent years. During the period 2006-2013, three guides concerning health and safety at work were developed, as well as a training kit for office cleaning (2009).

In 2017 the EFCI and UNI-Europa presented the Selecting Best Value Guide. The guide assists public and private buyers in the design of tendering process by highlighting the benefits of choosing quality services. It also includes an interactive tool to prepare for the design of such tenders and can be a valuable tool when our companies face new tendering processes and in the professionalisation of tenderers.

The Guide is available in 12 languages and the EFCI is undertaking numerous actions to disseminate it.
Further, in the Social Dialogue, the EFCI and UNI-Europa also work in joint statements, for which they reach agreements on relevant topics for the industry: the Posting of Workers Directive, undeclared work... Relevant debates and exchanges arise in the negotiation for such statement.

A new, ambitious work programme for 2019-2020

The joint work programme for 2019-2020 was adopted during the recent SSDC meeting. We have engaged, for the coming two years, to focus common efforts on two main aspects: (i) the impact of digitalisation in the industry; and the promotion and valorisation of the sector.

Regarding digitalisation, social partners want to anticipate changes and prepare the industry for them and assist our members to create the necessary capacities for the challenges ahead. Digital skills will be on the spotlight, while the impact of digitalisation in labour issues and sustainability will also be studied.

EFCI's objectives in the European Social Dialogue adapt to the challenges of the industry at the wider level, and intend to provide its members and companies across the continent with relevant tools for their daily activities but also to prepare for the challenges ahead.