Securities still abused

Securities still abusedWhile a minimum wage for security guards in Namibia has been set, companies are still paying a pittance to their staff. Companies ignore minimum wage directive A Namibian security company could be facing labour court soon after an employee payslip shows the company still paid the 2009 minimum wage of N$3.80 per hour until at least October this year.

Since 2009, the minimum wage for security guards has increased to N$7 per hour, with another increase to N$8.75 slated for January.

Levi Shigwedha, chairperson of the Security Association of Namibia (SAN), this week confirmed that Superior Security Services is being investigated, and SAN plans to declare a labour dispute with the help of relevant unions.

Simon Kandondo, general-secretary of the Namibia Independent Security Union (NISU) urged employees being paid below minimum wage to contact the union for help.

“Even if they are not union members, we will take it up. I will make sure that the company is called out.”

Andreas Haingura Karupu, owner of Superior Security Services, on Wednesday claimed he had amended the hourly rate since October and employees were paid the correct rate of N$7.00 as from November.

His claim could not be verified before going to print and no further proof was submitted by him other than his verbal statement.

Likewise, SAN could not confirm the amendment and confirmed the company is not a member.

The Superior Security Services payslip provided to Namibian Sun anonymously shows the employee was paid a salary of less than N$850 in October, after having clocked close to 220 hours. These hours include more than 55 overtime and nightshift hours.

The payslip shows a nearly N$200 deduction for transport and “meat”. Zero deductions are indicated in the Social Security Commission column.

Karupu blamed the demands of clients for the N$3.80 rate. He told Namibian Sun during a brief telephone conversation that he wants to pay the minimum wage “but the problem is, it depends on what we get from our clients, the clients are not happy to pay higher rates. That is where the problem is.”





He claimed he is currently in discussions with SAN, the unions, and the labour ministry. He said he was in the process of negotiations with the parties.

Several commentators said a big question around Karupu''s failure to comply with the minimum wage, is whether he would be held responsible for his employees'' loss of income.

NISU''s Kandondo said in effect, Karupu''s employees are due not only a pay raise to the current minimum wage, and another one in January as per a recent agreement between SAN and the unions, but are furthermore owed back-pay for loss of income.

According to the unions and members of SAN, non-compliance around minimum wages and various regulations and labour laws is chronic in the industry.

Commentators say that apart from depriving security guards of their rightful salary, non-complying companies crush compliant competitors.

Industry insiders say that clients in particular should take responsibility for the companies they engage, ensuring the companies are compliant.

“Clients have to become more aware of the costs involved. Clients have to ask the right questions when comparing quotations. They need to take into account that these companies have full-time employees and this involves many costs. That is why it is so difficult to compete in this industry,” a security employer said.

A lack of regulations in the industry complicates the task of holding non-compliant companies accountable while the oversight of labour law breaches frustrate the sector.

Shigwedha said that SAN and the unions are intensifying efforts to address non-compliance and the introduction of security sector regulations in the industry to ensure fly-by-night and unethical operators are forced to step up or are pushed out of the industry.

Until such time, the industry is reliant primarily on the labour ministry. Shigwedha said that labour inspectors can play a critical role in providing broader oversight. “They can call the company to order.”

Another solution the industry is contemplating is the introduction of benchmark rates, which would force clients to pay a minimum rate for security services, ensuring compliance across the board.

The national minimum rate of N$3.80 for security guards was established in 2009 and rose to N$5.30 in 2014. In August 2015 the rate was hiked to N$7.00 and last week a minimum rate of N$8.75, was confirmed by the unions and SAN. This rate becomes valid from January next year.



JANA-MARI SMITH