At a board meeting held before its Congress, the World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) has re-affirmed its in-train focuses on key issues affecting the international contract cleaning fraternity. It also covered the significant progress already achieved in planning the WFBSC 2014 Congress, New York City.
The five hour meeting was held on Wednesday 10th October at the Four Points by Sheraton, Curitiba (Brazil). Present were various country representative members as well as WFBSC executive director Andrew Large.
“There were three key issues we discussed in-depth,” said Large.
One was employment standards and relationships with the International Labour Organization (ILO, www.ilo.org). “Clearly the WFBSC has a role in refuting the significant negative publicity regarding outsourcing. Our board is very committed to presenting the very great benefits that contracting-out of services offers,” emphasised Large.
A second issue of discussion was the Cleaning for Health initiative, which was promulgated at the WFBSC Congress 2011 and is now well advanced. “The board is most supportive of our close relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the quest to promote cleaning’s vital role in promoting public health,” Large explained.
The third topic generating important discussion was ‘the health and safety of cleaning chemicals’, a subject commanding a United Nations’ standing committee. With legislation already written, the laws come into force in 2015. “Because it is our cleaners who are handling chemicals virtually every day of their working lives, this topic is very relevant to all WFBSC members,” said Large.
“The board meeting was a high quality discussion that proved well worthwhile for all members while also being an appropriate lead-up to the 2012 Congress,” concluded Large.
WFBSC 2014 planning well advanced
Hosted by WFBSC committee member Stanley Doobin (Harvard Maintenance) and Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) executive vice president Chris Mundschenk, the WFBSC 2014 Congress will be held 6 to 9 April 2014, in New York City.
The organisers exhort world contract cleaner executives to attend. It’s a ‘big opportunity to hear big ideas from big thinkers who operate globally on a big scale. In addition to Steve Forbes (chairman Forbes Media), Dr Richard Besser (ABC News chief health and medical editor) and Peter Diamandis (chairman of the X Prize Foundation), the Congress will include internationally recognised business experts who will energise and enlighten you through thought-provoking presentations and interactive question-and-answer sessions.
Images from WFBSC 2012 can be found at: www.picasaweb.google.com/incleanmag/WFBSCCongress2012#