Page 23 - CIJ May 2023 Digital Edition

some cases, is also beneficial for paid. While the government is On the hind side, “FM is a
the client as the local staff adapts working to set the equations right, labour-intensive industry and
very well to the local socio- why can’t the client (principal many times, certain service
cultural environment. It is easier employer) step in to pay them providers save costs by hiring
for the staff to commute to the what they should rightfully unskilled staff and pay them the
workplace/site, thus reducing the receive? basic wages. Also, many service
chances of downtime or absence. “Clients want professionally providers take advantage of
“Furthermore, they are dressed workers and are paying government notifications.
readily available and at ‘lower for just two uniforms per year!” However, engaging with
costs’. The only differentiator Indian weather is definitely not big service providers that run
is the ability to upskill the local friendly to multiple use uniforms. in-house training modules to
workforce through rigorous It stinks! Uniforms are just a ensures quality service delivery,
training & development. small part of the bigger problem conducts proper pre-mobilisation
Professional FM companies try but it can be a starting point to get sessions, ensures effective
to maintain a 50:50 ratio between professional. deployment as per client
local and trained workforces to Ironically, the worker mopping specifications, maintains a pool of
create a balance.” the floor and the worker using a skilled workers and strategically
In fact, service delivery ₹15 lakh cleaning machine are deploys trained workers to suit
is always done using local both ‘janitors’ drawing almost the clients’ expectations and service
resources. same salary! standards, bringing about the
difference.
“What matters is the knowledge
and program management by the Client has to pay for it Ultimately, ‘you’d only get
service provider using the same If the client wants skilled monkeys by throwing peanuts.
resources, bringing in subject workers, there is a cost attached Don’t expect a lion or elephant’.
matter experts to implement to it. In conclusion, the discerning
the solutions, identify/rectify client does need to know and
wastages or errors and in turn “A client cannot have the best- accept that by engaging with
improve productivity and reduce in-class services at the lowest organised big service providers,
cost of services. prices. The background of the they’d at least be compliant
“Further, the value proposition staff is going to be the same and make sincere attempts at
with every service provider,
on the challenges faced by the but what makes the difference training, retraining and attaining
benchmark standards.
client is in engaging with the is the sustained training which
right service/solutions company. equips the staff to deliver quality So long as the job is considered
Otherwise, most large companies services. Thus, the choice of a unskilled and the focus is on
will end up selling labour, service provider should be based outsourcing cost, rather than
material and machinery in the on a strong and robust training accountability, the market will be
name of services.” program which enables the staff governed by minimum wages.
to skill themselves.” And that, no service provider can
Jamadaars or afford to hire non-local workers
Housekeepers? Not possible at as there are extra costs attached,
such as providing accommodation,
Well, whether you hire a local minimum wage food, etc.
or get a trained worker, why ask “While hiring a service The business, thanks to the
for a ‘housekeeper’ when you provider, bigger clients talk of big organised service providers,
treat them as ‘jamadaars’? (For empathy, ESG, staff welfare… has progressed to using
the benefit of the readers, these but end up paying minimum automation and other newer
two categories are paid differently wages! Workers are lucky if technologies. The market has
under the Minimum Wages Act). they get a bonus, paid leaves to recognise FM services as
“Workers are deployed at or gratuity from the client end. an essential contributor rather
minimum wages to give them all Further, government schemes than unavoidable cost, because
the government benefits. There such as PMPRY were declared automation, furthering skills,
is a drastic difference between not to be passed on to the service etc., would attract talent to the
what minimum wages offer and provider and have it reduced from cleaning industry.
what they should actually be the contract costs.” This again comes at a cost!
CIJ

Clean India Journal•MAY 2023 23
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