Nearly one-third of cleaning people in Belgium are sexually harassed
A union survey has revealed that a large number of women working at housecleaners in Belgium are sexually harassed by clients, leading to the suggestion that cleaners undergo training to deal with the problem
Cleaners afraid of losing jobs
The survey carried out by the ACV union questioned 51,000 people working as cleaners in private homes. The harassment consisted largely of suggestive comments or sexual proposals. But about one-third of the cleaners experienced physical harassment, such as kissing or being fondled, and 15 women told ACV that they had been raped by their employer.
According to ACV, the cleaners often work alone at a client’s home, which makes them more vulnerable. “There is no social control, no colleagues around and the place of work is the private property of the client,” Pia Stalpaert, chair of ACV’s Food and Services branch, told Het Laatste Nieuws. “Many cleaners furthermore are afraid to lose their job.”
Many of the harassment victims have suffered from anxiety, difficulties performing their jobs, trouble sleeping and even suicidal thoughts. ACV has suggested training programmes for housecleaners where they learn that they do not have to accept such behaviour, demand more respect from their employers and report incidents.
More than 200,000 people work as housecleaners in Belgium, most of them women and many of them immigrants. The ACV pointed out that it is a demanding job that is often undervalued.
