On June 23, an important meeting took place in Vilnius between representatives of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation (LPSK) and the Lithuanian security workers’ trade unions, and a delegation from the Danish security workers’ trade union VSL (Vagt- og Sikkerhedsfunktionærernes Landforening).

This meeting marks another step toward deepening international cooperation not only within regional frameworks, but also at the European level, through active participation in sectoral social dialogue and European Commission projects.

Dynamics of the security sector

The Danish trade union VSL, founded in 1903, is the only specialized security workers’ trade union in Denmark, with more than a century of experience.

The Danish representatives emphasized that Nordic support for Lithuania began immediately after the restoration of independence on March 11, 1990. At that time, an agreement was reached to assist Lithuanian trade unions in integrating into the Western European trade union movement, and VSL actively cooperated in organizing training sessions for Lithuanian colleagues.

In turn, representatives of LPSK presented an overview of the Lithuanian security sector. It was noted that in recent years the sector has demonstrated stable annual growth of 5.2%, driven by increased geopolitical tensions following 2022, rising retail crime, and technological integration.

Currently, approximately 12,000–14,000 security workers and managers are employed in Lithuania, accounting for around 0.9–1% of the total workforce. More than 150 licensed private security companies operate in the market, with major players such as “Securitas”, “G4S”, “Argus”, “Saugos tarnyba”, and others dominating the sector.

Despite growth, the situation remains challenging

The average hourly wage for a security guard is only around 8 euros, while the average annual gross salary ranges between 16,000 and 18,000 euros, significantly below the national average (approximately 26,000 euros gross).

In addition, most employees work part-time or shift work, and women make up less than 15% of the sector. Recently, there has also been an increase in the number of foreign workers, including refugees from Ukraine.

The discussion also highlighted differences between public and private sector security workers. Those employed in state or municipal institutions (such as prisons, courts, or the Parliament) operate under special statutory regulations, receive higher base salaries, state pensions, and stronger employment guarantees.

Meanwhile, in the private sector, where services are provided under civil contracts, wages range from approximately 800 to 1,100 euros net, and additional benefits depend solely on the employer’s discretion.

Membership challenges

One of the key points of the meeting was the low level of worker organization. While Denmark’s VSL provides comprehensive legal assistance, professional training, specialized unemployment insurance, and has a high membership rate, trade union density in Lithuania’s private security sector is only around 5%.

Security workers in Lithuania may join either the Services Sector Workers’ Trade Union or the Lithuanian Law Enforcement Officers Federation (LTPF), both of which represent the public sector and are affiliated with LPSK.

However, no national sectoral collective agreement covering this sector has been signed to date, and the overall coverage of local collective agreements in the private security sector remains low (26.6%).

It is believed that low engagement is driven by dispersed workplaces, night work, a growing number of foreign workers, and high staff turnover.

Therefore, at the end of the meeting, participants agreed that closer cooperation between Lithuanian and Danish trade unions, as well as the transfer of good Western European practices and the planning of concrete steps, is essential in order to increase worker organization in Lithuania.

The meeting with Danish colleagues was attended by LPSK Acting Chair Dalia Jakutavičė, International Secretary Jonas Januškevičius, legal expert Jonas Gricius, and the Chair of the Lithuanian Services Sector Workers’ Trade Union Aleksandras Posochovas.