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No salaries for the year… West Berbice security guards plead for intervention|
Some of the affected security guards at the meeting.
Security guards throughout West Berbice, Region Five, who are posted primarily at government installations, are up in arms against their employer, and are calling for better working conditions.
The employees have organized themselves into a body, which resulted in a meeting last Thursday at which they were advised of their rights, as well as given the opportunity to air their views on matters affecting them. The meeting took place at a business place, in Number Five Village. About 80 guards were present at the meeting.
They also discussed how they should deal with the issues affecting them, as well as the best way forward.
Late last year, one security firm gave way to another establishment, and the latter absorbed many of the guards who were employed by the previous company. Things, however, got off to a rocky start, according to the guards.
They claimed the new service immediately “demoralised employees” by offering them a lower wage than that which was paid by the previous employer, and the workers are claiming that even though they are paid at a reduced rate, there have been many cases where the wages have not been correctly calculated, with people receiving less than they should have gotten, even at the revised rate.
The disgruntled workers claim that the management had informed them that they would be paid on the second Friday of each month, but so far they have received no payment for this year.
One worker reported that he was able to make contact with a senior official in relation to the non-payment wages, and the officer offered to make arrangements to pay him as an individual. But he refused the offer, stating that he was speaking on behalf of all the workers.
The employees, speaking with one voice, also stated that they would want their employer to issue them with pay advice, so that where applicable, people would be able to be aware of their NIS deductions among other things.
They have also noted that the rate of pay currently offered is below the government-recommended minimum, and would want to discuss all the issues with the management. However, they have not been able to have any such discussions, and they are claiming that management seems unwilling to entertain discussion, thereby leading to frustration among the workers. The workers, on the other hand, would want the various issues resolved as soon as possible.
Calls to the office of the security firm went unanswered. A call to a female official on her personal cell was taken. The official promised to have her superiors return a call to Kaieteur News.
The security company has the contract to guard all the schools and health facilities in the West Berbice area.
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