The Downward Spiral of Public Procurement

Macrodose · Jul 23, 2026 · 24m

"The biggest problem is that they choose the lowest bid. That ends up being paid by the worker."

Our taxes might be used to exploit cleaners through public contracts. But how does it work, who is responsible for this, and what can we do about it?

In this episode, we follow the money. We expose how "public procurement"—the system by which governments award cleaning contracts—has created a race to the bottom. When contracts go to the cheapest bidder, the savings come from one place only: workers' wages, hours, and dignity.

In this episode, we hear from:🇫🇮Niina Autio from Finland, a cleaner and…