ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

At its recent board meeting in Brazil the World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) pledged to focus on the key issues affecting the international contract cleaning sector.

"Three key issues were discussed," explained executive vice-president Andrew Large. One was employment standards and relationships with the International Labour Organization. "Clearly the WFBSC has a role in refuting the significant negative publicity regarding outsourcing. Our board is very committed to presenting the very great benefits that contracting-out of services offers."

A second issue of discussion was the Cleaning for Health initiative, which was launched at the WFBSC Congress 2011 and is now well advanced. "The board is most supportive of our close relationship with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the quest to promote cleaning's vital role in promoting public health," Large explained.

The third topic on the agenda was the health and safety of cleaning chemicals, a subject commanding a United Nations' standing committee. With legislation already written, the laws come into force in 2015. "Because it is our cleaners who are handling chemicals virtually every day of their working lives, this topic is very relevant to all WFBSC members," said Large.

Read the latest ECJ blog from Andrew Large