Flemish Minister Steps In on Cleaning Aids’ Wage Dispute
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Brussels — June 19, 2024 — In Brussels, flemish Minister Zuhal Demir has intervened in a persistent wage dispute. The core issue involves how to distribute a wage increase for cleaning aids, with trade unions and employers at odds. This follows months of stalled negotiations regarding service checks. the Minister’s involvement underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring fair compensation; expect further action.
Flemish Minister Steps In as Wage Dispute for Cleaning Aids Lingers
Brussels, Belgium – Flemish Minister for Work Zuhal Demir (N-VA) is intervening in a protracted wage dispute affecting cleaning aids in Flanders. For months, trade unions and employers have failed to reach an agreement on how to distribute a wage increase, leading to Minister DemirS direct involvement.
Did you know? The Flemish government increased the price of service checks from 9 euros to 10 euros, with the intention that the extra euro would directly benefit the 127,000 cleaning aids in Flanders.
impasse and intervention
The core issue revolves around the distribution of an extra euro added to the price of service checks. The Flemish government had mandated that this additional euro should directly benefit the 127,000 flemish cleaning aids.However, disagreements between trade unions and employers have stalled the process.
Minister Demir expressed her frustration, stating: After four months of social consultation, it is indeed time to complete. The cleaning aids are waiting for their earned wage increase. I will call the unions and employers with me and put a compromise proposal on the table.
She emphasized the urgency of the situation, adding, The cleaning aids have been waiting for their wage increase since the beginning of this year. They are entitled to their extra money.
Minister’s Resolve
Demir has criticized the social partners for impacting the purchasing power of cleaning aids. She warned that if an agreement is not reached, political intervention will be necessary. Currently, the funds intended for the wage increase are held in a separate account, awaiting a resolution.
Pro Tip: Service checks are a system used in Belgium to pay for domestic help. The government subsidizes these checks to make household services more affordable.
According to Demir, If the social partners do not get out of this, then it is indeed up to politics to take obligation.
Tightening the Screws
Demir referenced an audit by the Finance Inspectorate, which indicated that the 37 largest service check companies generated 33 million euros in profit in 2023. She has also launched an online price comparator to scrutinize administrative costs charged by these companies.
The minister intends to further investigate the allocation of additional administration costs by the service check companies. This issue is scheduled to be discussed again by the Flemish Government this week.
Demir stated she wants to further tighten the thumb screws.
She also wants to know what the companies exactly spend the additional administration costs.
