Clean Start Campaign

Cleaners and community say the cleaning industry needs change.

Cleaners will be rallying tomorrow in Auckland and Wellington to send a message to those contract cleaning firms who refuse to listen to cleaners and their communities who are calling for a clean start in their industry.

NZ’s largest cleaning firm Spotless disagrees.
Cleaners working for NZ’s largest contract cleaning firm, Spotless, who mop, vacuum, empty bins and clean toilets in our cities while most of us are sleeping, say they don’t have enough time to do their jobs properly, or enough money to look after their families. They say New Zealand’s largest contract cleaning firm, Spotless, isn’t listening to their concerns about the industry.

Cleaner’s 9 year old son says ‘support my mum.’
9-year-old George Lotovale, son of Auckland cleaner and Clean Start activist Sue Lafaele says “I love my mum. She’s a cleaner. I wish mum had more time with me. I wish she wasn’t tired”.

George will be speaking at the Auckland rally at midday.

Community Support for a Clean Start
Reverend Mua Strickson Pua of the Newton Pacific Islanders’ Presbyterian Church has called on those in the cleaning industry to take some responsibility and play their part in improving conditions for the cleaners. He says it’s disappointing to see Spotless turning down the opportunity for positive change in the industry.

“Everyone knows about the poor conditions for Pacific Island workers in New Zealand. There has been a lot of media lately about our young people in our communities.”

“Well, our communities would be a lot better off if the parents, such as the hard working cleaners, were paid properly for the work they do, and if they had time to spend with their kids. Come on Spotless, play your part in changing this industry for the better.”

Politicians support cleaners

MPs such as Green Party MP Sue Bradford and Maori Party MP Hone Harawira have spoken out about the problems cleaners face in their industry. In a speech to parliament last week, Harawira commended cleaners campaigning for a Clean Start and noted that cleaners were “holding down several jobs at shamefully low pay, in order to make ends meet.”

In Auckland, cleaners and supporters will be rallying in Aotea Square at 12noon
In Wellington, cleaners and supporters will be rallying outside Parliament at 12noon

ENDS

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