The Story within the Story….Sex and the private security companies

Aug 27, 2017 News

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By Leonard Gildarie

This past week, there was a little piece of news that made me sit up and take notice. It should for

all Guyanese as well, as, left unchecked, it will develop into a situation that can remain uncontrollable.
The Ministry of Social Protection hosted a meeting with private security companies to remind them of the labour laws. How does one remind a company of the labour laws?
What was learnt is deeply troubling. I do intend to follow closely the operations of the security firms, as it is now appearing that what was brought out is a public secret that many knew about but were reluctant to talk about, or worse yet, even acknowledge what was happening.
I blame myself, too, for not paying too much attention.
The meeting at the Brickdam office of Minister Keith Scott, saw over 30 firms attending.
There are over 8,000 persons working in the private security services, it was disclosed.
Many of them include single moms and senior citizens, some of them physically incapable of dealing with the job.
Scott, in a Government release of the meeting, bemoaned the state of the labour laws, noting that Guyana is at a standstill or even worse yet, in a state of regression.
These are startling admissions from a sitting minister, but laudable at the same time, as it speaks of the mountain of challenges we face as a developing country.
I have always said it. Nothing is wrong with our politicians telling the people the true situation. We don’t have to sugarcoat the truth. The question now is how to fix the problem.
Minister Scott said that in spite of the National Minimum Wage Order, there are still companies breaching the labour laws.
It appeared that situation was dire enough that Government had to summon the private security firms to a meeting to remind them of the laws.
It was made clear that despite the fact that since 2013, the National Minimum Wage Order established a 40-hour work week with those hours to be distributed over five days, there are some employers, inclusive of service providers, who have adopted a six-day work week encompassing more than 40 hours.
Guess what? The workers complained that many of the security firms were not paying the overtime.
We have really dropped the ball when it comes to our checks and balances as a country.
We have allowed the vulnerable of society to slip through the cracks, because the supervisors and inspectors were not given the resources and training to carry out their mandates.
How could it be that security firms are hiring persons who may be unfit for the job?
How do we allow single moms or security guards to sit in mosquito-infested guard huts that are exposed to the elements and so conspicuously located that they are the first place that bandits target when they come. Who protects the security guards?
I saw reports of the meeting where it was claimed that in one company, an inspector who caught female security guards asleep on the job has been forcing the women to have sex with him, or risk losing their pay. He does not smell too good.
What is shocking is that despite complaints made to the office, little was done.
One prominent security firm owner, whom I thought had better sense, reportedly admitted the situation, but pointed to a good development – he has appointed a female General Manager.
That seeming indifference alone should be a wake-up call for our leaders if they are serious about protecting our vulnerable. Not good enough.
There are a few things we should know about private security firms.
Many of them have state contracts with some of the areas being government facilities located in remote areas.
I recall reading of state auditors finding rackets by some security firms. In some cases, there was evidence of records being cooked to show that guards had been assigned to a particular place but checks revealed no evidence.
I can tell you, every so often we receive calls and visits from security guards who have not been paid for weeks. I can tell you that the NIS has reported of battles with the firms to pay up their dues. The companies are religiously deducting the NIS but not remitting same. How much more criminal can we get?
Want to hear more?
Scott said Friday that he has reports of some security firms recruiting persons from the night shelter. These are the vulnerable I am referring to, and there could easily be a conclusion why a security firm would target shelters for workers. Maybe it’s because the persons are so desperate for a job that they will not complain. Come on folks, surely we can think of some more.
I’ve heard tales of some security firms tied to former government officials. I have not yet heard of any links to this administration.
There is a school of thought, therefore, that some of the security firms are being protected.
Mind you, the role of the security services in Guyana in providing jobs cannot be downplayed.
That 8,000 figure quoted is substantial by any means.
I recall stories of my late dad, God bless his soul, coming to Georgetown from Mahaicony where his first job was with GEB (Guyana Employment Bureau). Today, GEB still exists, and is headquartered at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
A number of banks are using the services. We can recall all too vividly a recent attack of bandits at Republic Bank, Water Street, where the first responders were personnel from the private security firms. The fact that only one life was lost should not be overlooked. There is some discipline here.
Guyanese are not unmindful of working. We do well abroad. We are known for being hardworking people. However, it appears that quite a few employers are not above playing with the future of workers, including with their NIS contributions.
I know of at least two security firms which after facing financial problems, changed their names and started all over again with the same clients.
The ministry has embarked on something that has the potential of making meaningful changes to the labour landscape, once handled properly. We must charge a few persons and publish their photos and names to sound a clear warning that our workers’ rights are not to be trampled on.
It cannot be that security firms are not making money. I don’t see many of them closing their doors. What I see is some of the owners with their sprawling mansions. Nothing wrong with that, except that I have a problem if you are taking out the people’s NIS contributions and you are keeping it for yourself.
So yes, Minister Scott, you are on the right track. And while you are on that, there are conditions affecting some mining workers, especially at RUSAL, Region 10, where a number of complaints have been lodged but little progress, it appears, is being made.
Maybe if the ministry does not have a hotline, one should be established.

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