Union names and shames security companies with precarious employment conditions

The General Workers Union said a number of security companies were offering bids for security services at hourly rates that were lower than the cost of retaining full-time employees with all ancillary benefits per hour.

The GWU named Kavalieri Security, Signal 8 Security, Globe Security, and Executive Security Services as among the companies offering lower salaries.

The GWU said the government had to inspect all security contracts that may be providing "hubs for precarious employment."

"Employers offering their services at rates whereby it is impossible to retain a regular full-time employee including all benefits should not be accepted by government and other companies such as listed companies and other companies that wish to retain a distinguished reputation with the general public," the GWU said.

Companies that accept work below the cost-per-hour of engaging a full-time employee adopt such work practices such as getting employees paying for their uniforms and training, forgo entitlements such as sick leave and vacation leave, and being forced to work hours beyond the 40-hour week at a flat rate without extra compensation.

The Union appeals to Government to investigate Security Companies and to forbid awarding contracts to any companies caught engaging such practices.