“You better hope your work cleaner is one of the few who has time to do a thorough job”,  9 June 2020

As [we]…return to our workplaces, we are relying on cleaners to keep us safe. SafeWork Australia…have prepared guidelines for keeping workplaces safe. Two surveys paint very different picture of [the cleaning]…being done. [T]he United Workers Union in May found that 91% [of cleaners surveyed] always, often or sometimes have to rush…, three quarters…reported that did not have enough personal protective equipment…[and]…[m]any face barriers to taking sick leave. [Additionally], [o]ne third of cleaning companies audited by the Fair Work Ombudsman in 2016 were found to be underpaying their workers…, [most of them being]…migrants on temporary visas who are vulnerable to exploitation…

A second survey…by the Cleaning Accountability Framework in April found 94% felt adequate precautions are being taken to protect their health and safety, 92% were given enough personal protective equipment, 97% were being provided with enough chemicals and equipment and 84% were able to take paid sick leave. The difference in survey results points to a way forward…

Though the SafeWork guidelines heap the burden of keeping workplaces safe on employers, [it] would help if the guidelines took account of the reality that cleaning is often outsourced and subcontracted. And cooperative arrangements between building owners, cleaning contractors and building tenants could go a long way towards lifting standards. The best response is to take that responsibility seriously, more closely enforcing contracts, and if necessary varying their terms, to allow for extra, safe and adequately paid and resourced cleaning.