BCC expands on key worker call

BCC chairman Paul Thrupp said: “As everyone is now aware, the BCC has been very keen to get government recognition of the significant contribution that the cleaning and hygiene sector makes to the current fight against COVID-19 and for cleaning operatives to be recognised as key and essential workers. 

“By definition, cleaning and hygiene operatives are consistently at the sharp end of ensuring buildings are clean and safe. 

“However, in addition, there are many other sectors of the industry represented by the BCC that are absolutely essential and equally important in ensuring that people who also work on the frontline have high standards of health and safety during the current pandemic and are also fully deserving of key and essential worker status. 

“For example, this includes drivers who deliver janitorial supplies of cleaning and hygiene products, machinery maintenance engineers, personal hygiene services, washroom and hygiene services, specialist services supplying disinfection services that involves specialist equipment and our colleagues who deal with the safe and hygienic disposal of waste. 

“The personnel involved are vital in the supply of fundamental services which are required throughout the cleaning process and so should also be given key and essential workers status. 

“The members of our teams involved and their businesses in these areas are all represented by member groups of the BCC and should be recognised as key and essential workers, which has always been implicit in our campaign so far.”

The BCC has 21 members from across the cleaning and hygiene sector. Research it published early this year shows that the sector is a UK top ten industry, employing 1.63million people and contributing over £54billion to the economy.