A spotless living room
Employees from a housekeeping company have spoken out against what they consider are exploitative wage packages.
The three South American employees working for Metro Housekeeping services at the five star Meriton Apartments at Broadbeach became disgruntled when they worked out they were being paid as little as $10 a day for six hours of cleaning as a trainee.
Officially the wage rate sits at $21.50, though earning this ammount depends on cleaning a room in a specific time. A light service on a small room comprises of making a bed, cleaning up any dishes left in the kitchen and an over all tidy up. It needs to take 12 minutes.
“It’s unrealistic and we are never making it…as trainees we were sharing the cleaning of rooms and being really careful and slow. We were walking away with $10 or $20 a day,” says Juan Pablo Ureta, an architect from Chile.
No wrinkles on the sheets of this bed
A spokesperson for the Sydney based company flew to the Gold Coast a day after suggestions the operation is not so squeaky clean.
“I can’t believe this. I’m sure that if there was a problem someone would have told me earlier…we have a good relationship with the team,” he said.
“It’s important that our staff are happy and treated well… We have bed making contests and shout them pizzas and stuff at the end of the week,” he continues.
Everything in order?
But the Chilean believes the lack of complaints from staff in the past is because the majority are from Nepal.
“Well, it’s not really in their nature is it? They put their heads down. They are so grateful to even have a job and be earning an Australian dollar,” says Juan.
Wage structuring for trainees has been revised since investigations into the allegations. Trainees earn a standard flat rate of $21.50 regardless of the time it takes to clean a room.
The Chilean appreciates the change but remains sceptical.
“It’s great for trainees, but after those two weeks what?” asks Juan.
Keriruri's Point 