The National Union of Workers (NUW) is urging the government to review laws governing the security industry. This appeal was made by Fiji Trade Union Congress (FTUC) general secretary Felix Anthony in Lautoka.
Yesterday, the NUW and Evergreen International Fiji signed a collective agreement outlining all terms and conditions of employment for workers. Evergreen International Fiji operates as Wormald Security and Guard Force in Fiji, providing electronic security services such as monitoring intruder alarms, access control, CCTV, and electronic fire detection systems. Anthony expressed concerns about the state of the security industry in the country.
“We look forward to working with them. We currently have no issues with Guard Force and hope it stays that way,” Anthony said.
He highlighted significant exploitation within the security industry. “Particularly, we have night operators in the industry who do not follow the law and rules,” he added.
Anthony pointed out rampant wage theft by smaller operators, citing a claim against one company for approximately $3 million owed to workers due to unpaid overtime rates and unlawful deductions. He called on the government to review the laws to prevent workers from being cheated out of their legal entitlements.
“We urge the government to review industry laws to ensure a level playing field for both employers and employees. More stringent inspections are necessary to ensure full compliance,” he emphasized.
Mike Jamieson, the general manager of Evergreen International Fiji, stated that with the signed agreement, they hope for better outcomes for workers.
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