Campaign for wage justice continues as G4S cuts real wages

Guards working in one of the world's poorest nations, Malawi, showed great courage in standing up to their multinational employer, G4S, during wage negotiations in January this year. Workers threatened strike action when presented with a 12% wage increase, which is lower than the official inflation rate and would have meant a cut in income for workers who already earn poverty level wages of around USD30 per month.

Workers were effectively prevented from striking when a Malawian court issued an injunction in favour of the company. Faced with a battle against Africa's largest employer and one of the most powerful companies on the London Stock Exchange, G4S workers have now accepted a 17% wage rise. In some areas, including Malawi's capital, Blantyre, this still does not meet the increase in the cost of living, which currently measures 23%.

G4S workers continue their battle for economic justice in Malawi, with on-going efforts to organise, supported by UNI Global Union. The union hopes to negotiate its first complete collective agreement with G4S later this year to address critical issues like time off and over time pay.