Brussels household helpers protest for better pay

Domestic workers in the service voucher sector in Brussels are planning a series of actions in protest for better pay.

Workers in Flanders and Wallonia reached a collective labour agreement last month that came with a wage increase of €0.77 per hour, but the ongoing lack of government in Brussels and opposition from the employers' federation Federgon means no such agreement could be reached there.

Negotiations took place over the past few weeks in the presence of Brussels minister Bernard Clerfayt (Défi), who trade unions say made constructive proposals.

“The unions agreed, but Federgon is still opposed because it believes the financial effort is insufficient,” said ABVV trade union secretary Issam Benali.

“However, Clerfayt's commitments are equivalent to or even better than those in the other regions.”

Benali called the employers’ attitude "cynical" given the financial situation of the Brussels region and the fact that several Brussels service voucher companies themselves denounced the discrimination against their employees in an open letter a few weeks ago.

Unions are planning to organise industrial action, but Benali said it was still too early for concrete details.

“The action will be directed against the shareholders of commercial companies – these companies are all making profits, so their refusal to approve the collective labour agreement is irresponsible,” said Benali.

The trade unions also hope that the Brussels parliament will also take action.

“They can demand that the Brussels government take binding measures against Brussels companies, as was done in Flanders and Wallonia,” Benali said.