Enjoying ensuring clean parking garages

In the Zuidpoort garage, we speak to Robel and his close colleagues Michel and Nick. Together with many more Werkse! cleaning employees, they take care of five spic and span car parks week in week out. Those of ParkerenDelft to be precise: the Markt, Zuidpoort, Phoenix, Kampveld and Prinsenhof garages.

Oil run
Anyone who thinks garage cleaning is only about floors is wrong. Robel Mulugeta: ‘We also provide clean toilets, stairwells, ramps, corridors, offices and lifts. And we also keep the fire boxes and parking machines tidy.’ Work enough, then. Like an accomplished craftsman, he successively lists the extra tasks: ‘Sticking gum, running oil, removing cobwebs, emptying bins. We have a roster of tasks. Those are all on a list. All the tasks for this morning have already been ticked off. We do a different floor every day. All work is good. And work is important.’

Proudly
Robel: ‘In the mornings we often work together, now I am alone for a while. I usually work in the Zuidpoort garage and on Thursdays in the Phoenix garage. On Wednesdays, I still take language lessons at Werkse! That is important. I can understand what people say, but talking is still a bit difficult.’ Robel is proud of his cleaning work in the car parks. Proudly – and with a smile characteristic of his – he is therefore pictured. His former supervisor Raymond Aspeslagh: “If there were pictures in a dictionary, I would put Robel’s picture next to the word pride! Robel also handles expensive machines like the big scrubber trucks very carefully. When he is done he cleans them and replenishes them for the next day. So that either himself or someone else can start right away the next morning.’

Nice and fresh
Michel Rienks has been working in car parks since 2015. Michel: ‘First for another client. About four years ago, the tender went to Werkse! and I transferred with it.’ Whether he ever gets compliments from people parking or collecting their cars? Michel: ‘Almost every day he does. Especially in the Market garage. Then people say, “How nice it smells here!” Or “Is it new here?”. That’s kind of fun, then you get extra satisfaction from your work.’

Underground
Nick Klappe is the cooperating foreman. Nick: ‘I work about 90% of my time with them and 10% goes to directing.’ He too used to work at the other cleaning company in the garages. Whether there are any special days or moments? ‘Every day is actually special. What I like most is working towards certain results.’ Whether it is tedious to work so much underground? ‘No,’ they say in chorus. ‘You get used to that very quickly. And by the way: the offices we clean are above ground!’