ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

In a joint statement, EFCI and UNI Europa - the EU sectoral social partners for the cleaning professional cleaning sector - have urged the European Commission to prioritise job quality in the cleaning sector as part of its forthcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap.

Cleaning services are vital to public health and safety across Europe, the two organisations emphasise, supporting hospitals, schools, government buildings and critical infrastructure. Yet, the sector's workforce - mostly women, migrants, and older workers - continues to face low pay, poor recognition and unsocial hours.

The statement highlights daytime cleaning as a key solution. By replacing night shifts with daytime schedules, cleaners gain more predictable working hours, improved visibility and better work-life balance. This approach supports key principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights and aligns with broader EU goals for fair and sustainable employment.

Recent studies strengthen the case. In France, 70 per cent of office users favour daytime cleaning. In Estonia, one client reported over €40,000 in unnecessary lighting costs due to night-time cleaning. Daytime operations have also been linked to reduced absenteeism and higher staff retention.

The statement also calls for urgent reform of EU public procurement rules. With most public contracts still awarded solely on price, the system undermines collective agreements and encourages a race to the bottom on wages and working conditions.

The partners recommend three legal changes:

• Enforce compliance with collective agreements in tenders
• Clarify how social and quality criteria can be used in contract awards
• Allow for price adjustments in line with labour law changes and inflation.

Backed by successful initiatives in Germany, France and Norway, the proposal has broad support from employers and trade unions. With political momentum building in the European Parliament, EFCI and UNI Europa urge the Commission to act now-bringing visibility, dignity and fairness to one of Europe's most essential but overlooked workforces.