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The General Workers’ Union has called on the Government to ensure that contracts for the provision of security officers are not awarded to companies that underpay employees.

In a name-and-shame statement, the union said it had noticed a number of security companies were making bids to offer their service “at a per hour rate that was lower than the cost of retaining a full-time employee with all ancillary benefits per hour”.

Among these companies, the union said, there were Kavallieri Security, Signal 8 Security, Globe Security and Executive Security Services.

When contacted, Kavallieri Security director Joe Debono denied underpaying employees and said his company bid according to legal rates – otherwise the bid would not be accepted.

Joseph John Grech, director of Signal 8 Security, also denied the union’s allegations and insisted he paid employees according to the rates stipulated by law.

Globe Security and Executive Security Services could not be reached for comment.

In the statement, the union appealed to the Government and all companies to inspect all security contracts that may be providing hubs for precarious employment.

“Employers offering their services at rates where it is impossible to retain a regular full-time employee, including all benefits should not be accepted by the Government and other companies such as listed companies and other companies that wish to retain a distinguished reputation with the general public,” the union said.