With the formation of a new federation, the service voucher sector has been given a fresh look and a new name: Domiva. In appointing Steve Vandenberghe as managing director, the sector has chosen someone who fully understands that there is a great deal of work to be done, but above all that there is significant social value to be upheld.
INTERVIEW
NEWS
Setting up a federation of our own is not simply a matter of creating a new structure or a new logo. It is a clear signal that the sector wants to organise itself more effectively. With greater focus, greater expertise and greater clout. “We are talking about a sector that makes a huge difference every day to families, the elderly, working parents and around 150,000 domestic helpers in our country,” says Steve Vandenberghe.
“The challenges are well known. The economic climate has become more difficult, tax deductibility has been abolished, and pressure on the sector is mounting. But it would be a mistake to reduce that debate to a single, simplistic discussion. The future of this sector is about much more than just the cost of a pay cheque or a single aspect of the remuneration package.”
“Anyone who is serious about the future of service vouchers needs to take a broader view. They need to look at practicality. At employment conditions. At support and supervision. At respect for the profession. At affordability for the user. And also at a sustainable and viable model for the companies that provide that support every day.”
“That is why, for me, this is above all the time to build a Sector 2.0. To bring about a structural reform of the system, so that it remains fair for everyone: for the domestic helpers, for the families who rely on them, for the government and for the businesses in the sector. Because it is precisely that profitability that is under pressure today more than ever. And without a healthy business environment, you cannot provide a strong framework for the people on the ground.”
“The new federation can play a key role in this. Not by creating further polarisation, but by opening up the debate with expert insight. We need to move away from that negative framing. Our mission must be to make clear just how important this sector is to our society. I also call on everyone within our sector to stop talking our sector down. Of course, we must identify and tackle the problems, but we must not let that make us forget all the good things.”
“I’ve been working here for a few months now, and I don’t see a sector that can be viewed solely through a negative lens. I also see a sector that supports families, provides people with opportunities in the labour market, and helps enable older people to live at home for longer. I see a sector with a significant social impact.”
“I am well aware that this will not be a sprint. It will be a marathon. But one that we must run together. With mutual respect. With expertise. And, above all, with the ambition to finally prepare a system that has already proven its worth for the future. The launch of Domiva is certainly one of those important steps.”