Car Wash Scheme looking to end exploitation gains support of payment app GoWash

Image credit: GoWash

Innovative smartphone payment app GoWash has declared its support of the Responsible Car Wash Scheme (RCWS), encouraging car wash sites joining its nationwide network to achieve RCWS accreditation.

The hand car wash sector has consistently been identified as an industry where workers are at risk of exploitation ranging from poor working conditions to modern day slavery. Legitimate businesses are often undercut by those breaking the law, creating an unfair competitive landscape.

Members of the public using a car hand wash should be alert for the following:

- A suspiciously low cost: anything under £9 for a small car exterior wash is unlikely to be viable if workers are receiving the national living wage.

- A request for cash only and a refusal to accept other methods of payment.

- A lack of protective clothing and equipment: for example, operatives should be equipped with gloves and waterproof shoes.

GoWash works with an expanding network of hundreds of privately owned car washing and valeting businesses, including Car Park Valeting, which operates from 120 sites in Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Asda. When joining GoWash, all car wash operators are asked to list the compliance checks they have completed at their site and are introduced to the RCWS with details of the accreditation scheme.

Jonny Billing, Founder of GoWash, said: “Concerns over irregularity in this industry have increased public interest and, in tandem with the RCWS pilot project, our team at GoWash is supporting the push for better regulation.”

Teresa Sayers, Managing Director, RCWS, said: “Payment methods offered by car washes are one of the main indicators of whether they are operating as legitimate businesses. Cash-only payment could be a sign of non-compliance with business or employment regulations. The GoWash app provides transparency over business transactions and convenience to the public looking to find and pay for a car wash nearby.”