News

Today is International Justice Day and cleaners and security guards are some of the lowest paid and most exploited workers in the world. Yet they provide services that we cannot live without, whether it is cleaning international airports, major train stations, government buildings and corporate headquarters or industrial sites or providing security to embassies, businesses or other government offices. These workers, many of whom are immigrants and women, fight every day to gain dignity and respect on the job. Many employers do not even honour the legally required minimum pay and benefit standards for these workers—much less pay them a living wage.



Workers are on strike over these issues around the world. Cleaners in Houston in the United States are striking for decent wages and to protest intimidation by employers for standing up for their rights. Security guards in Norway are striking to force companies to deliver on wage promises that have been made for years but never delivered. In both countries, wealthy companies, well able to pay an appropriate wage level, employ these workers. Ability to pay is not the issue. Willingness to pay fairly and to treat workers with dignity and respect is the issue.



Today, 15 June, International Justice Day, stand with UNI Property Services in demanding dignity and respect on the job for cleaners and security guards throughout the world.