Today, the Service Voucher Federation is stepping out of the shadows and unveiling its new name: ‘Domiva’. Domiva sprang into action behind the scenes at the start of this year and has been hard at work ever since.
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Domiva is committed to a service voucher sector where everyone benefits. To this end, they are strongly committed to consultation with all partners around the table. In the past, the voice of businesses was too quiet in the debate. That is precisely why the sector has consciously chosen to establish its own federation and chart a new course.
The name Domiva was not chosen by chance. ‘Domus’ stands for homeliness, whilst ‘viva’ refers to life and the human, positive story that the federation wishes to convey. For long may the service voucher sector thrive, but at the same time we must also ensure that it can continue to thrive.
Precisely because the challenges today are so great.
Service voucher companies are struggling because they have to operate on very tight margins. At the same time, costs continue to rise. Wages, management, planning, administration and support all weigh heavily on the balance sheet. Simply capping the administrative costs on top of the service vouchers is therefore not a solution for these companies at present.
We need to look for solutions together. Because demand is also under pressure. Many users feel that domestic help is becoming increasingly expensive, precisely because of these rising costs. As a result, the financial stability of many companies is coming under increasing strain.
The service voucher sector is, however, one of the largest sectors in Belgium and delivers impact and added value on a daily basis. For instance, the system ensures that families and single people are given some breathing space again and that older people can continue to live at home for longer. Furthermore, it also creates jobs within a formal and recognised framework for some 150,000 employees.
This is something Daan had mentioned that Tine’s team really do want to focus on. That is why it is explicitly mentioned. It is the first time this has been communicated externally, although it has already been discussed internally within the ministries.
The new federation aims to be a constructive partner for everyone: for businesses, but also for domestic helpers, service voucher users, trade unions and politicians. Today, more than ever, there is a need for consultation where everyone sits around the table and works together to find solutions. Only in this way can trust be restored, allowing the entire sector to grow once more.
Steve Vandenberghe, Managing Director of Domiva: “The vast majority of service voucher companies are doing a wonderful job today. You can sense that they are deeply committed to the sector, driven by a strong social commitment. But today they also need a sense of direction and hope. Because it is five minutes to midnight for the sector. We must ensure that the service voucher system remains sustainable and affordable for everyone.”