Organising domestic workers A protective regulatory framework for domestic work ETUC Seminar April 2005, Brussels

United Federation of Danish Workers Industry 140,000 members Building/construction 50,000 members Private service 15,000 members Public service 65,000 members Green sector 20,000 members Transport 70,000 members Total 360,000 members

Political challenges 1995: Welfare Commission Future employment and business opportunities The need for expansion of the service sector

Our Vision From undeclared to declared work New job opportunities for the members New home services for working women Regulated, decent, recognized work Professionalised domestic work

Home Service Scheme : Objectives of the Government Promoting the development of enterprises that provide household services Offering job opportunities for low skilled jobseekers Combating undeclared work (black economy) Meeting the needs of the families State financial neutral

State Financial Neutral State subsidies -500 mio DKR Income tax 215 mio DKR Lost tax from other jobs - 38 mio DKR VAT from Home Service 200 mio DKR Lost VAT from other jobs -100 mio DKR Saved unemployment benefit 223 mio DKR Total 0 mio DKR

Home service Purchase of groceries Cleaning, window cleaning, cleaning of gutters Cooking, dish washing, preserving etc Clothes washing, ironing, mending of clothes (minor) Snow clearing, sweeping, gardening (common) Packing in connection with removal etc.

Challenges Many new and very small enterprises Unprofessional employers – unorganised Poor working conditions and salary BUT We have follow up mechanisms And the weapon of conflict

Home Service Scheme: History 1994 Pilot Scheme for three years 1996 Evaluation 1997 New Act : Home Service Scheme 2001 Liberal Government – new policy – reduction of state subsidies to households 2004 Decision of the closure of the scheme

Principles Subsidies are for the benefit of the customer Service with quality – innovation Regulated work and salary conditions Visibility in the development of prices Fair competition Contribution is 50% of the costs Max sum 7200 euro per. year

Preconditions for the enterprise Recognition by the local authority The enterprise is registered (VAT Act) The enterprise has taken insurance covering personal injury and damage The local authority has access to the enterprise and may examine it, to verify compliance with the act

Enterprises may be excluded from the scheme If lack of compliance with the act If disregarding good practice in the industry as regards conditions of employment or do not comply with provisions in collective agreements If the enterprise does not comply with applicable legislation intended to safeguard the working conditions of employees

Collective agreements Working time, transport Salary and pay provision Sickness, hospitalisation Maternity leave, Parental leave Holidays, leave Pension, education, dismissal etc Shop stewards, proof of employment etc

Homeservice 1999 Number of enterprises % Self-employed ,6% One ,4% Up to Five ,8% Up to Ten 73 1,8% More than ten 20 0,5% Total ,0%

Hourly pay: evaluation EmployeesHourly pay Cleaning euro Window cleaning euro Gardening work euro Other activities euro Total euro

The role of the Union Lobbying for having an Act or a Scheme Lobbying the politicians during the political discussions in the Parliament about the Act Discussions with the employers organisations – lobbying together Assure follow up mechanisms - evaluations Organising – running conflict – strikes

The Conflict started in 1996 Letters to all 4000 enterprises about decent work conditions in Home Service Letters to 1800 companies about collective agreement Letters to 1100 about the coming strike or blockade The strike and blockade started Cooperation with our counterpart

What did we achieve Collective agreements with 570 new enterprises new decent jobs 50% organization Better work conditions and pay Recognition of domestic work New service sector – Home service

Today ? New Liberal Government