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THE two private security unions in Mozambique have agreed to work jointly to protect the interests of workers in Group 4 Securicor (G4S), the largest private security employer in the country.



SINTESPGM and SINTRAVESP also intend to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that would be sent to G4S.



The two unions resolved to start cooperating during a UNI / SASK strategic project planning workshop aimed at building a strong security union in Mozambique.



"G4S workers are being discriminated. There is need to turn the page and develop strategies to combat workers' problems," said Julio Mbondiano Sitoe, General Secretary of SINTESPGM.



And General Secretary of SINTRAVESP Ms. Isabel Valente Macuacua said G4S should "stop discriminating against its employees" who are paid different salaries despite doing the same work. She criticised G4S for harassing and dismissing workers belonging to SINTRAVESP.





Sitoe and Isabel shaking hands after reconciling



Other issues the unions want G4S to address include employment contracts, improved salaries, overtime, HIV support programmes, medical and funeral assistance.



Statistics from the Ministry of labour indicate that there are 54 private security companies in Mozambique with a total workforce of 30,000 employees.



The biggest private security employer is G4S which has acquired three other security companies - Wackenhut, SafeTech and Alfa. G4S has a total of 8,615 employees in Mozambique. About 45% of the workforce is unionised be SINTESPGM and SINTRAVESP.



And UNI representative John Musonda told the meeting that unions need global action to secure workers’ rights in multinational companies such as G4S which operates in 110 countries with a workforce of 530,000. In Africa, G4S has over 98,000 workers in 23 countries.



He said UNI is working closely with its affiliates to achieve a global agreement with G4S. He urged SINTESPGM and SINTRAVESP to organise workers and participate actively in the G4S union alliance.