We’ve set up a dedicated multi-disciplinary team across the SIA, headed by Paul Fullwood, our Director of Inspections and Enforcement, to address labour exploitation under the name Operation EMPOWER. The aim of this operation is to seek to reduce labour exploitation across the UK private security industry, working in collaboration with the industry itself, key partners, and government. Our plan begins with the launch of a communications campaign to raise awareness of the signs of potential labour exploitation and encourage reporting. Paul explains more here:
We know that labour exploitation exists within the private security industry. The harm to individuals is unacceptable. The consequent injury to standards and public safety, to law-abiding businesses who are undercut by criminal enterprises, and to the reputation of the industry, demand a response.
We’re confident that most private security suppliers meet high standards and provide fair working conditions, which contributes to public safety. However, we know from our intelligence and stakeholder engagement that the industry has concerns that some companies are undermining quality businesses through alleged poor practices.
We’ve set up a dedicated multi-disciplinary team across the SIA, headed at director level, to address labour exploitation under the name Operation EMPOWER. This project team includes intelligence specialists and criminal investigators, as well as representatives from Individual and Business Standards, Legal, Policy, and Communications.
The aim of this operation is to seek to reduce labour exploitation across the UK private security industry, working in collaboration with the industry itself, key partners, and government. We need the commitment and support of departments and agencies with relevant powers, such as HM Revenue and Customs and the Home Office. This is because our current powers under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 provide us with limited opportunities to tackle this issue on our own.
People who are being exploited can be hard to reach. They may be vulnerable due to their immigration status. They may not even realise that they’re being exploited. We want security operatives to understand what labour exploitation looks like. For example, they may not be being paid the National Minimum Wage. For some individuals, particularly those who are being used by organised crime, their situation may be far worse. We need these individuals to be able to identify when they’re being exploited, and to know that they can report their situation in confidence to the SIA and other agencies. The expectation must be that action will follow.
We are also talking to security businesses to make sure they’re aware of their responsibilities to the people they employ. We want buyers of security to be vigilant as well, as we know that labour exploitation – particularly low pay – can be a feature of sub-contracting chains. If buyers are sourcing cheap security, say for an event, they may be paying an amount that guarantees that operatives themselves are not being paid National Minimum Wage.
A private security company supplier, which is under contract to a buyer, must make sure that their employees are paid correctly and contribute the correct amount of national insurance and tax. They must also make sure that this is being done throughout their supply chain.
No employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage. Employers must pay their employees the National Minimum Wage (to apprentices or people aged under 21) or the National Living Wage (to people aged 21 or over). There are also minimum unavoidable costs for basic employment matters such as national insurance.
This should be of special interest to legitimate security businesses, as unscrupulous operators can undercut those who treat their staff fairly and pay them properly.
Our plan begins with a communications strategy aiming to raise awareness of the signs of potential labour exploitation, and encourage reporting, with the support of key communications partners. We’re directing people to a new guidance and reporting page on our GOV.UK site. We will follow this first phase with a programme of engagement on the actions we are collectively taking to address labour exploitation.
In this way we are embarking on a multi-partnership operation intended to disrupt and dissuade the individuals and businesses that direct or facilitate labour exploitation. Keep an eye out for our messages, and if you come across exploitation in the private security industry – please report it.
