The General Workers’ Union has registered an industrial dispute with international banknote printing company De La Rue because it objects to the outsourcing of security work usually carried out by employees.

The union claimed this would have a negative impact on workers’ income and created “huge security risks” as sensitive products would be in the hands of third parties.

De La Rue is involved in the design and production of over 150 national currencies and a wide range of security documents including passports, driving licences, authentication labels and tax stamps.

The union said it had been in discussions with the company for several weeks but a solution had not been found.