SIPTU members employed in the security industry have welcomed the government’s announcement that a new Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the sector will come into force on 28th September, increasing minimum hourly rates of pay.
SIPTU Security Sector Organiser, Ed Kenny, said: “This new ERO will see the basic hourly rate of pay for a worker rise from €15.41 to €16.15. It also sets out basic terms and conditions for workers in the sector.
“While our members welcome these increases, the implementation of this new ERO was unnecessarily delayed for several months. This was during a cost-of-living crisis that disproportionately affected workers in the security industry because of their low rates of pay.”
He added: “We will now seek to engage with employers on a successor to this ERO through the Joint Labour Committee for the industry. Our aim is to ensure that this will go further in ensuring these workers are paid proportionately to the vital services they provide.”
Security Officer and Senior SIPTU Activist, Christy Waters, said: “Workers in this industry have undergone significant professionalisation in recent years, which requires them to meet training and qualification requirements. Our members believe that this has yet to be fully recognised in their remuneration.
“This new ERO has now established the legally enforceable minimum pay rates for the industry, and SIPTU will continue to negotiate collective agreements with higher rates of pay in individual companies.”