Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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Labour shortage 'a constant problem' for cleaning companies in Hungary

The constant lack of a viable labour force is the main challenge facing the cleaning technology sector in Hungary, says Zoltán Paár, chairman of the Hungarian Cleaning Technology Association (MATISZ). Zoltán believes that the long-term solution should involve better training and the ability to charge more for cleaning services than is currently considered acceptable.

Nowadays it's very difficult to find cleaning staff in Hungary, due to the labour shortage and lack of training. Wages have almost doubled in the sector over the past few years, and most companies are struggling to keep up with the increased wage burden and the related charges, which together make up between 70% and 80% of their total expenses.

"Meanwhile, the price of cleaning services has only have risen by some 30% - 40%," says Zoltán, who says that there has been a clear tendency for trained workers to leave Hungary in search of the much higher wages they can earn elsewhere.

"Immigrants consider Hungary to be a transit country, so the lost workforce has not been replenished," he admits. "Despite the expansion of automation, cleaning remains labour-intensive work."

MATISZ is aiming to have cleaning recognised and appreciated as an important profession with its workforce paid satisfactory wages and the prices charged for cleaning services to be raised to reflect and accommodate that. At the same time, customers will expect higher quality, so more attention should be paid to the training of cleaners to ensure that they always deliver the best service.

MATISZ organises annual conferences and a bi-annual trade show to augment cooperation within the sector and to highlight the latest professional solutions to cleaning challenges. The next event will be the Budapest Cleaning Show, which will be held at building B of the Hungexpo Budapest Exhibition and Congress Center on 5th and 6th October 2018. Hungarian representatives of the industry and the international market leaders will be amongst the exhibitors.

"Recently, the cleaning sector has undergone major transformation with significant innovation in terms of automation, tools, materials and technologies," notes Zoltán. "The importance of 'green cleaning', i.e. environmentally friendly solutions, is growing.

"By highlighting the state-of-the-art products and services that are used by the cleaning industry these days, MATISZ aims to educate customers on the need for acceptable prices to be paid for the cleaning services provided.

"And if workers are duly appreciated, it will be easier to find staff that are already well-trained or ready to improve their skills.

Cleanzine understands that some stands are still available for those wishing to exhibit at the Budapest Cleaning Show. To find out more, visit:
www.budapestcleaningshow.hu

2nd August 2018