HARTFORD-BASED international engineering company Amec is ready to mobilise its workforce to go to Iraq despite increasing violence.

There has been a significant increase in kidnappings of international workers in recent weeks while an Italian civilian working as a security guard was murdered after being held hostage.

Amec last month won contracts to help restore Iraq's power and distribution systems.

The company will act as a prime subcontractor for Fluor Corporation, which has been awarded work worth $154 million.

The two companies have also confirmed that, through their joint venture, they are bidding for other contracts to be awarded by the Coalition Provisional Authority related to power generation and transmission, water treatment, transportation and other public works in Iraq.

Having been awarded these contracts Amec, is now waiting for work orders to be issued by the Americans.

Harold Ashurst, of Amec, said he was unsure as to when these orders would be issued.

He said: "It could be weeks or months but whenever it is, we are ready to mobilise workers."

Mr Ashurst added: "Security is obviously something we are monitoring.

"We have our own security team over there as well as liaising with the coalition forces.

"We will take advice from them.

"We have no plans to cancel the work.

"As soon as the task orders do come through, we are ready to go."

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk