By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) has appealed to the business community to assist in the implementation of the wage agreement for security guards signed recently.
Early this month, SAN, the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU), and the Namibia Security Guards and Watchmen Workers Union (NASGWU), in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour agreed that the minimum wage for security personnel be increased from N$2.09 per hour to N$3 per hour.
The agreement says that employers should provide all employees with uniforms. Under this clause, the agreement states that a newly appointed employee shall be required to pay a deposit equivalent to the cost of the uniform.
The employer shall refund the deposit to the employee at the time of the employee’s termination of service upon return of the uniform.
The employer shall further replace the uniform of each employee as needed at the employer’s expense. The agreement will cover the period from September 1, 2007 until February 28, 2009.
SAN yesterday said ensuring that the agreement is adhered to will not only assist the security industry in its endeavours to establish a well-balanced and competitive market, but will also uplift and complement the benefits to the workforce.
Non-adherence to the agreement will lead to a breach of trust between the security industry and business sector, the association said.
The association said security officers are expected to ensure that maximum wages are paid in terms of the agreement and non-adherence should be reported to the Labour Commissioner.
The association added that the increase in the minimum wage of 43 percent urges the workforce to deliver high standards of security services that are required by the business sector.
Recently, security officers threatened to stage a nationwide strike over minimum wages.
The ministry had to strongly get involved in the negotiations to avert the strike.
There are 165 employers in the security guard industry with 17 000 workers.