CLEANERS working at a university have said they “are just about living” because they are underpaid.

Cleaners who are employed by London-based KGB Cleaning Services work at the University of South Wales, across several of its sites, including the Newport campus.

They earn £7.20 per hour and their union, UNISON said it means they are “forced to live in poverty."

The workers work at four University of South Wales campuses, 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 that KGB has “brought them to a low point”.

Cleaner Michelle, who does not wish to give her real name, said she has been working for KGB for the past three years.

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.

“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 on behalf of the staff.

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.