G4S Workers Renew Strike Threat in Malawi Against Largest Employer on London Stock Exchange

LONDON, Feb 01, 2008 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX) -- Security guards for G4S in Malawi, struggling to survive on poverty pay, today renewed their threat to strike unless Africa's biggest multinational employer agrees to meet their demand for a 30% rise. The guards, paid on average only 15 pounds Sterling ($30 USD) per month - a quarter of a living wage - turned down the company's 12% offer, which doesn't even keep up with inflation in Malawi. Last July, G4S recognized the Textile, Garment, Leather and Security Services Workers Union in Malawi. Past wage increases have been near 20% in order to keep pace with the inflation generated by chronic currency devaluation.

Many of the 13,000 members of the G4S workforce must walk ninety minutes each way to and from work, live in homes without electricity or running water and cannot afford to meet their children's school or medical fees. A G4S guard in Malawi would need to work for 7,583 years to obtain the annual pay given to the firm's chief executive, UK-based Nick Buckles, whose latest salary exceeds 1.1 million pounds Sterling (2.19 million USD).

The company won a court injunction against a strike that was set to begin on Wednesday, January 30th. The union aims to overturn the ban and call a stoppage on Monday, February 4th if G4S continues to reject their claim.

"Our workers simply want justice. G4S, as the largest multinational in Africa, has a responsibility to work with us to achieve this," said Grace Nyirenda, General Secretary of the union.

"When I met with G4S workers from Malawi several months ago, I was moved by their determination to provide for their families. The nearly 2 million members of SEIU stand with them. We will assist their efforts to live in dignity," said Gerald Hudson, international executive vice president of SEIU.

War on Want trade unions officer Jackie Simpkins said: "G4S workers have the right to a living wage and decent conditions. We call on the company to do the right thing and heed this call from its Malawian staff."

G4S represents 68% of the security business in Malawi. The workers guard big corporations, government offices, and NGOs. G4S is the largest employer trading on the London Stock Exchange and the largest multinational in Africa.