G4S (Group 4 Securicor) has signed an agreement to drive improvements in employment standards across the global security industry.

The ethical employment partnership G4S signed with Union Network International (UNI) will help to ensure employee rights are respected across its 570,000 strong workforce worldwide.

Two thirds of the group's workforce is in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America and G4S hopes to be the industry leader in raising standards for workers and their families in these areas. It is hoped the partnership with UNI will ensure G4S's ethical policies relating to employment are fully implemented.

Jenni Myles, director of employee engagement and HR at G4S, said: "As a market leader with major exposure in developing markets we are in a strong position to improve employment standards across the security industry.

"We take our responsibilities as a global leader very seriously and our new partnership with UNI is designed to support the raising of employment standards to even higher levels and with its help we believe we can improve standards not just in G4S but in the wider business community."

Philip Jennings, general secretary of UNI, added: "A global company working with a global union is the way forward in a sustainable business model.

"This agreement represents an opportunity for progress for the many thousands of workers who want to improve their lives through building unions and is intended to raise standards across the many markets where G4S operates."