Information & Support for Door Supervisors - National Doorwatch

EU Employment policy means that EU citizens working in the UK temporarily can register to provide SIA licensable activities in the UK on a temporary basis without having to undergo training, purchase a license or speak English! Provided they can show they have at least worked in a security role for 2 years out of the last 10.

National Doorwatch urges all security operatives to remain calm and continue to work legally.

National Doorwatch urges all UK door supervisors to remain calm and continue to work legally, until we can gain a greater understanding of the situation.

The following dispensation is granted to all eligible European Union (EU) citizens

EU citizens who can demonstrate they are properly qualified or provided security services in 2 out of the last 10 years can work in the UK.  They have no need to purchase a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence, or undergo the SIA mandatory training requirement for that sector.  Further there is no requirement for them to speak English as the EU considers language to be an unfair barrier to employment.  All they are required to do is register with the SIA and keep them updated of their status. (Must be temporary)

http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/pages/licensing-eea-workers.aspx

This has apparently been the case since the SIA was first constituted, but has remained hidden in plain view – until now.  The question then is why now?

The most obvious answer of course is the Olympics.  Publicising this piece of legislation will allow EU citizens to come and provide security during the games.  They will be able to provide much needed language and cultural resource.  Additionally they will be willing to maximise their working opportunities.  More importantly these EU citizens will be able to work outside the LOCOG sites.

The impact of this measure in conjunction with the deployment of the Armed Forces (free of charge) and all the tax-payer funded “Bridging the Gap” (BTG) students, will be to flood the security market with a supply of cheap and ready labour.  In the short-term this would appear to be a win-win situation for all concerned in providing or using security.  The cost of providing security for the games remains below the budget.  The companies providing the security make a healthy profit.  However it is clear this can only be achieved by compromising the safety of the public.

Public Safety is undermined because the Government has now lost its moral authority to regulate and licence individuals or companies.  How can it be right that someone from another EU country can work for free, whilst its own citizens must pay?  How can they take such a diverse and multi-cultural industry and sow the seeds of resentment and hatred?  How can they fuel the wider sense of outrage this generate across the UK and the recruits it will deliver to extremists on all sides? 

Granting licensing dispensation to the BTG program was only acceptable because of the hope it offered young people.  However giving EU citizens dispensation to provide security in the UK undermines the whole security strategy; as it sends a clear message to criminals and terrorists that the UK will be an easy target.  This perception will do nothing to promote tourism, or the wonderfully vibrant events, hospitality and leisure industry (EHLI), we have here in the UK. 

I would suggest that every operator in the EHLI takes steps to ensure they have full control of their Security situation.  I would also suggest that every insurance company makes it a condition, that for Health & Safety reasons that Security personnel be trained in the UK, have an SIA licence, and can speak fluent English, regardless of their point of origin.  At a time when we need to be at our best, to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity, our Government is putting it all on the line for a few pieces of silver.

Meanwhile I would suggest every security operative writes/emails/calls their MP and demand the same treatment as every other EU citizen – especially those of you who have been doing the job for more than two years in the last 10!!!