Security workers demand better wages and working conditions

Workers employed by security companies are one of the worst paid occupational groups in Poland and also have some of the worst working conditions, particularly in terms of working time. In recent times, these workers have begun demanding higher pay. If their demands are not met, the representative trade unions intend to organise protest action.

Working conditions in security services sector

According to research, the security services sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Poland. Overall, estimates suggest that about 250,000 people are employed in this sector, which constitutes a relatively numerous but poorly paid occupational group. The trade union representing security workers claims that the average level of remuneration in this sector is close to the gross national minimum wage – PLN 936 per month (€246 as of 2 August 2007).

Consequently, the majority of security employees hold two or even three full-time jobs, with the result that many of them work 12–14 hours a day or 300–400 hours a month. At present, security workers are highly dissatisfied with their working conditions. Apart from low wages and long working days, these workers are frustrated with the lack of respect for their job, unfair competition between companies, as well as a lack of employment contracts and further training.

Trade unions demand higher wages

In an effort to strengthen their position while negotiating better working conditions, security workers have set up their own trade unions in several of the country’s major security companies, such as Group 4 Securicor, Falck Poland and Solid Security.

These unions have demanded higher wages and better working conditions for their workers. As these demands remain unmet, union representatives have formed a Protest Committee of Security Workers, affiliated to the Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union ‘Solidarność’ (Niezależny Samorządny Związek Zawodowy ‘Solidarność’, NSZZ Solidarnosc). Moreover, the unions have sent a petition to the biggest security companies in which they demand a 30% wage increase and an improvement in working conditions.

Position of employer organisation

According to representatives of the Polish Security Companies Association (Polski Związek Firm Ochrony, PZPO), it will be extremely difficult to meet the security workers’ demands for higher wages. As PZPO claims, the security market is ‘spoiled’ by small companies whose operations stretch or even violate the law. In tendering for contracts, these companies often offer cut-price rates by means of social dumping, which makes it difficult to provide decent employment. PZPO also concedes that employers, aware of the strong market competition, cut costs – particularly on wages – to guarantee satisfactory profits.

Rafał Towalski, Institute of Public Affairs