Spotless Services Poor Treatment of Cleaners in New Zealand highlighted Internationally

Australian supporters of the Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign will assemble outside the Sydney's Town Hall today as part of an International Day of Action against Spotless Services - the largest contract cleaning firm in New Zealand.

Similar protests against Spotless Services are being held in major cities across Australia and New Zealand today by supporters of the Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign.

Australian cleaners will hear from Kiwi and Pacific Island cleaners about how New Zealand cleaners are today putting a focus on the dominant contract cleaner in their country - Spotless Services.

"Inequalities for Pacific Island Workers are continuing because of poverty level wages paid by companies like Spotless Services, the largest contract cleaning firm in New Zealand," said John Ryall, National Secretary of the Service and Food Workers Union, Nga Ringa Tota.

"The low median hourly rate of $13.79 per hour for Pacific Island workers disguises the situation for pacific island women employed by Spotless. These women are paid only $11.30 per hour for the gruelling work they do. That is only five cents more than the new adult minimum wage. It's a disgrace," said Mr Ryall.

"The Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign aims to address a crisis in the property services industry in Australia and New Zealand," said Mr Ryall.

"We want to work with all stakeholders in the industry to commit to working together to improve the quality of services and to improve the working conditions of those employed in this industry.

"Since the campaign was launched, unions, community groups, many contract cleaners and property owners, as well as different levels of government, have shown their support for the Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign in Australia and New Zealand.

"Cleaners have called on Spotless Services to recognise this crisis in the industry and commit to the values of the campaign and follow those companies who have already signed a Responsible Cleaning Contractor agreement."

ENDS

For more information about the Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign please see www.sfwu.org.nz

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