The GWU complained today that exploitation of security guards engaged by local security companies was on the increase.

It was that while it positively noted new legislation on part-time conditions of work, that shall, by October , eliminate abuses where employees are engaged on multiple companies to evade granting conditions of employment,it still felt that more stringent legislative efforts were needed across the sector.

"The Union has continued to encounter situations where several employers in the security industry attempt to by-pass and attack conditions of employment whilst blaming the international economic scenario for such a necessity and the reduction of standards by other service providers. It remains very odd that the market price for security services is constantly stable or on the decrease, considering which the costs of all other services have increased rather rapidly," the union said.

"This implies a price war that may be unsustainable for many operations and that has led to a number of tenders and service contracts being awarded at ridiculous prices that further prove the exploitative conditions subsequently offered to employees."

It said that some companies were now expecting employees to shoulder the burden of management decisions within the industry and expecting such employees to reduce their conditions of work, at times even beyond the standards at law or the collective agreement. This has also been reflected in reduction in health and safety budgets and other expenses relating to employees.

The GWU said it would not accept such abusive employment conditions and would not tolerate employers that attempted to abuse working conditions any further.

It also appealed to the government to improve legislation relating to abusive working conditions.

"The Union also believes it is time to ensure that the wage regulation order of the Security Industry is re-visited," the GWU added.