Demir is tired of a number and draws a file on wage increase cleaning aids

The Flemish government announced in November that the price of service checks would rise. Since January 1, they cost 10 euros instead of 9 euros. According to Minister Demir, the extra euro had to flow directly to the 127,000 Flemish cleaning aids. Only trade unions and employers do not even touch the way that should happen.

And the patience of Minister Demir is gradually getting up. « After four months of social consultation it is 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 says. « The cleaning aids have been waiting for their wage increase since the beginning of this year. They are entitled to their extra money. »

The minister criticizes that the number of the social partners affects the purchasing power of the cleaning aids. « If the social partners do not get out of this, then it is up to politics to take responsibility, » says Demir. Until a social agreement comes out, the money from the wage increase remains in a separate account. The money will then be paid step by step to the cleaning aids.

Screws

Demir refers to an audit from the Finance Inspectorate that must show that there is indeed a margin for wage storage. That study decided that in 2023 the 37 largest service check companies made 33 million euros in profit. The minister then launched an online price comparator. He will map out the proliferation of administrative costs by the summer that service check companies charge.

This week the file is again on the table of the Flemish Government. And there too, the minister wants to further tighten the thumb screws, « it says. She now also wants to know what the companies exactly spend the additional administration costs.