Workers in the security industry are set to receive a pay rise from 1 July under a new Employment Regulation Order (ERO).

Emer Higgins (Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail) has confirmed that she intends to sign the new order.

It will provide for a new minimum rate of pay of €14.50 an hour for workers in the sector from that date onwards – up from €12.90 previously.

It also sets out terms and conditions for workers in the security industry – including an increased unsocial-hours premium of €12.60 minimum payment per shift, increasing to €16.80 per shift from 1 January 2025, and €20.00 per shift from 1 January 2026.

Risks

The new ERO replaces the order that came into effect for the sector on 4 September 2023, which had been delayed by a legal challenge.

Minister Higgins described the work carried out in the industry as “difficult and important”, adding that workers often faced significant personal risks to ensure public safety.

“I also recognise that this is a sector which has undergone significant professionalisation in recent years, which requires security workers to have training and qualification requirements to complete their roles,” she added.