Security industry agreement compliance
The Minister says the registered agreement’s minimum employment terms apply to security contractors for public and private clients, and that Government contracts include compliance clauses. He invites evidence of breaches for investigation.
asked the Minister for Labour if the terms and conditions for the employment of security personnel on contract by State and semi-State bodies as laid down in the registered agreement for security, lodged with the Labour Court, are currently being applied in the case of security companies.
Comment on this
The Registered Employment Agreement (REA) Security Industry sets out the basic minimum terms of employment of persons employed by companies operating in the security industry to provide a security guarding service, static guards, for clients of their employer. These minimum conditions of employment are applicable to all persons coming within the scope of the REA whether on contract to State, semi-State bodies or private sector companies.
In addition all Government Departments have been advised of the minimum conditions of employment applicable and it would be necessary for any contractor to satisfy the employing Department that it was observing all statutory provisions prescribed in the relevant REA.
Inspectors of my Department carry out inspections on a complaint basis of the wages records of employers providing a security service, to ensure that all statutory provisions of the REA are being observed.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that in this profession there are quite a number of fly by night operators who do not observe the minimum rate per hour? The Minister said that a directive had gone from his Department to various Government Departments, but is he absolutely certain that there are no abuses? A bona fide operator could be under priced by someone who is not obeying the rules.
Comment on this
As the Deputy said a year ago, these fly by night operators were highlighted and I undertook then to ask the secretary of the Government contracts committee to instruct all Government Departments to include a clause in their contracts concerning the obligations of employers in terms of employment regulation orders and registered employment agreements. I know all of the data was given and I hope the rules are being fully implemented. If a Deputy has any information to the contrary I will get it examined, but it is now written into the contracts.