in the cleaning sector, employees still face high job insecurity

Employees in the cleaning sector, who are mainly women, endure a hellish pace for derisory salaries.

Women are still paid less than men: 23.5% less on average in the private sector, according to INSEE, which published new figures on Tuesday March 5. This represents a gap of around 6,000 euros per year, in particular because women are more often part-time. A pace of work that they do not necessarily choose. The sector most affected is that of cleaning, which employs the majority of women: 85% of these employees are part-time workers.

This is particularly the case because cleaning jobs are often outsourced. Companies, which use service providers, do not decide the times and number of hours that cleaners need to clean their premises. The amplitudes are often very short, one or two hours per site: the employees must therefore increase the number of customers, but difficult when all the companies want a cleaning service at the same time. That is to say, very often, very early in the morning or very late in the evening.

Towards the end of staggered hours?

One solution would be to allow them to work during the day. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has also promised to put an end to these rhythms in the administration. But, whether in the public or private sector, there is still a way to go. According to the Federation of Cleaning Companies, which represents 16,000 structures, daytime work is very rarely practiced: barely 8% of these companies. Among them, Candor, located in Normandy. Around a quarter of its employees work during the day: “It’s definitely more practical,” assures Cécilia Lecroq, who is one of these employees. She can now have several clients, from morning to evening, during normal hours, much more comfortable for this single mother and her children: “Now they are at school for the day. Mom at work. And when everyone comes home, everyone gets together. There aren’t too many travel costs and breaks between contracts.”

The other advantage for this employee is to now be visible to the client: “At least he saw what I did and it’s more rewarding to say to himself that if he’s missing something, it’s because he saw it, not because he didn’t have it. not seen.” But these daytime hours are not always enough: even with several clients, it remains difficult to have enough hours and a decent salary. On average 1,600 euros per month in the cleaning sector, where the minimum working time is 16 hours per week. The CFDT, for example, is calling on the sector to align with the minimum 24 hours per week set in other sectors.