Taking Goa to the cleaners

Many corporates and big businesses are paying to get cleanedout. But it’s worth it. Offices have an extra sheen and polish and doneprofessionally.

The business of cleaning and maintaining Goa’s governmentoffice buildings, retail stores, commercial and industrial establishments andhealthcare facilities is estimated at Rs 25 crore. The central government’s capon recruitment of class IV employees has further boosted the spruce business.

According to sources, “The industry is growing between 15 to 20per cent per annum. The growth has been mainly fuelled by government andcorporate houses.”

In Goa, Ecoclean systems and solutions, Veejay specialty managementprivate limited and Dusters are the three major players. They control 90 percent of Goa’s cleaning market. But in recent years, with the business ofhousekeeping being low-tech, there has been an increase in the number ofplayers. Trends show that executives seeking a change in in their careers haveentered the business. To add to this franchise fees have also becomeaffordable.

But the increase in the number of player has led to a shortageof skilled manpower and low wages. This in turn has affected contracts andprofitability. Since 2010 the minimum wages have not risen. Vijay Gopi Directorat Veejay Solutions and Management said, “It is time the government hikesminimum wages. This way more people can be brought into the industry.” Roy Vaz,proprietor of Ecoclean solutions said, “With intense competition, holding downcontract prices and earning profits is the biggest challenge.” The governmentneeds to introduce proper standards for the industry to follow, he adds.

But the industry which previously stressed on headcount isnow focused on training and systems. “The industry standards are more stringentand meet all the necessary compliances. This adds value to the product,” saidVijay.

In an industry which is recession proof, there is a constantdemand for cleaners.