News

Private security unions from 12 African countries met in Nairobi on October 2-3 to share organising campaigns, engage in training on critical aspects of successful organising campaigns, to discuss common interests across the continent, and to develop approaches to strengthen regional networks in Africa.



Security Guards in Africa often work in very dangerous operations, with poor equipment, very low pay and minimal employment rights. It is an industry characterised by high turnover, very long hours, unacceptable risks and even fatalities. Delegates to the meeting stressed over and over again the terrible conditions in which these workers operate, often guarding great wealth but living in poverty.



G4S, the largest multinational private security firm in the world, with roughly 650,000 workers in 115 countries, is a prominent security company in Africa. Elanie Kruger, G4S Human Resources Director for Africa addressed the UNI group. Among other things, Ms. Kruger discussed the company’s CSR report for 2011 and the awards G4S received in 2012 for being a model employer.



Along with Alice Dale, Head of Department for UNI Property Services, Ms. Kruger reviewed the provisions of the UNI-G4S Global Agreement (also known as the Equitable Employment Partnership agreement) which embodies G4S’s commitment to honour the right to organise, to engage in collective bargaining and to raise standards in the private security industry. Ms. Kruger also discussed the need for G4S to remain competitive and for both the company and the unions to develop strategies that impact the industry as a whole. Ms. Kruger also heard from union leaders about problems in G4S that need attention in their home countries.



This meeting was the culmination of three prior FES-sponsored regional organising meetings held throughout 2012,that focused on private security organising.