CLEANERS working at a local university have said they are unable to go out socially and “are just about living” because they are underpaid.

Cleaners at the University of South Wales, who are employed by London-based company KGB Cleaning Services, earn £7.20 per hour and UNISON said it means they are “forced to live poverty despite working as hard as they can”.

The workers are organised by UNISON and work at four sites on University of South Wales campuses in Newport, Treforest, Merthyr Tydfil and the Atrium in Cardiff.

They are currently campaigning for a pay rise and to earn the ‘real’ living wage foundation rate of £8.45 per hour.

Some of the cleaners have said they are “treated like dirt” and that KGB has “brought them to a low point”.

Cleaner Michelle, who does not wish to provide her real name, said she has been working for KGB for the past three years and said the company “couldn’t give a damn”.

She said: “I work 30 hours a week and I earn £7.20 an hour. I start very early in the morning, cleaning the offices, removing the rubbish, vacuuming and cleaning the toilets. After work every day, I babysit my grandchildren. 

“I am treated like a piece of dirt. The company couldn’t give a damn. They just care about their money. The manager doesn’t care about staff, dictating stuff to us. This is a soul-less, miserable and cold place to work.

“On these wages, I have no life, I don’t go out and don’t have a social life.

“I am borrowing off my (adult) daughter and I don’t know where I would be without her. I am sick to death of her having to pay for me to do things.

“That money (£8.45 an hour) would mean one day a month I was able to go out and buy something. One day of not scrimping and saving.”

A spokesman for the University of South Wales said the issues have been raised with KGB’s management.

He said: "Although this is a dispute between the cleaners and the contractor as their employer, we have raised issues with their management for discussion in the past when asked to do so, and we would of course do so again as part of our normal positive dialogue with an approved contractor. 

“The University is aware of the points that UNISON has raised and takes such issues seriously.   We have built into the contract with KGB the need to pay the National Living Wage, and have stipulated that expected increases in the Living Wage in the coming years will also be honoured by the contractor.

“The University values highly the contribution that cleaners make on our campuses."

No one from KGB Cleaning Services was available for comment.