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Organising domestic workers A protective regulatory framework for domestic work

Organising domestic workers A protective regulatory framework for domestic work. ETUC Seminar 14-15 April 2005, Brussels. United Federation of Danish Workers. Industry 140,000 members Building/construction 50,000 members Private service 15,000 members

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Organising domestic workers A protective regulatory framework for domestic work

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  1. Organising domestic workersA protective regulatory framework for domestic work ETUC Seminar14-15 April 2005, Brussels

  2. 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

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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Homeservice 1999

  15. Hourly pay: 1999 - evaluation

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. What did we achieve • Collective agreements with 570 new enterprises • 6.000 new decent jobs • 50% organization • Better work conditions and pay • Recognition of domestic work • New service sector – Home service

  19. Today ? New Liberal Government

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