I’m proud of what Just Helpers has achieved. But if we are to see meaningful change in the cleaning industry, we need to address the real cost of cleaning. We need to tackle some fundamental issues, nationally. And we can’t do that alone.

A Clean Conscience?

A report from Clean For Good, estimated that in 2020, 60% of workers in the cleaning sector still earn less than the Living Wage.

The report states that the Low Pay Commission estimate 1 in 5 cleaners in the UK who were entitled to the Minimum Wage were actually being paid less than this by their employer. Remember – the Minimum wage is widely recognised to be a poverty wage, which means that someone working full time being paid the Minimum Wage would still be living in poverty. 

The Clean For Good report urged businesses who are outsourcing cleaning, to ensure that their cleaning provider shares their values. “Too many employers don’t just outsource a service, they unwittingly outsource their values and responsibilities too.” 

The Challenges we Face

We share the vision expressed in the Clean For Good report.  However, while Clean For Good focus on providing commercial cleaning, at Just Helpers, we want to provide domestic cleaning to ethically minded individuals in their own homes. 

But, we face some big challenges. 

Price – The Real Cost of Cleaning

All of our Helpers receive the Living Wage as a minimum.  However, we also need to keep our charges as low as we can so we remain affordable to our clients.

The challenge is to remain competitive in a crowded market. 

We want to highlight the real cost of domestic cleaning. That’s not just about the amount your cleaner is paid. It’s also about the cost to their health and well-being of low wages, and uncertain income. 

We want to reveal the cleaning industry’s dirty secret of exploitation, low wages and poor working conditions and offer an ethical, quality, affordable alternative to people who want a clean home and a clean conscience. 

Taxation -An Unfair Burden

We believe that low margin industries like ours should sit within a lower VAT bracket. 

Currently, cleaning services are subject to 20% VAT. This high tax burden encourages illegal practices such as “cash in hand”.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, some industries such as hospitality were moved into a lower VAT bracket to help them survive. We would like to see the cleaning industry moved into the 5% VAT bracket, permanently.  This would lead to better regulation, better working conditions and ultimately more money being paid by our industry in taxation. 

Changes to Employment  Law

The “gig economy” has been the subject of much criticism recently, particularly following the recent ruling against Uber. However, the fact remains that some workers want the flexibility that being self-employed offers.

We need changes to employment law to protect workers and protect businesses, so that direct employment becomes viable. 

Sharing the Challenge

My passion is for people, tackling injustice and doing the right thing. 

But these challenges are too big for me to tackle alone. I need people with the know-how to navigate these issues, so that we can achieve change for the cleaning industry at national level. 

Will you join me? Get involved – join our End Exploitation Facebook Group and share your energy, experience and expertise to help us make a difference and change lives.