Push to improve security guards’ plight
Companies refuse to comply with wage directive
Many companies continue to flout basic labour laws, with tax evasion, a lack of employee benefits and unlawful deductions, among other issues, still plaguing the sector.
Unions and employers joined forces last Thursday to improve working conditions and secure fairer pay for security guards through a new joint agreement for the industry.
The agreement, which brings together the employer organisation the Security Association of Namibia (SAN) and unions including the Namibia Security Workers Union (Naswu), the Namibia Independent Security Union (Nisu), the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau), and the Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN), has been updated under the framework of the Namibia Security Labour Forum (NSLF).
Mikka Joseph, Naswu secretary-general, who was a security guard himself for 13 years, said the working conditions for guards remain inhumane.
Even though the government officially raised the minimum wage for security guards to N$13.50 per hour at the start of this year, many security companies reportedly still refuse to comply with the wage directive.
The joint agreement confirms this minimum wage adjustment and commits the industry to increase the minimum wage to N$16 per hour next year and again to N$18 per hour in 2027.
“These figures are no longer optional, they are now law,” emphasised Andreas Hausiku, head of security at PSUN and an NSLF representative at the event. “Today, we speak with one voice – employers and employee representatives equally," he said adding that "when justice is delayed, dignity is denied".
Lack of enforcement
According to the NSLF, the partnership is essential because government has never truly enforced the Security Enterprises and Security Officers Act (SESORB) 19 of 1998 through the publication of the necessary regulations in the Government Gazette.
“Even today, 32 years later, the regulations needed to enforce this law are still absent,” said Hausiku.
He said the current situation only benefits those who profit from chaos, evade taxes, pay guards less than taxi fares and enforce unlawful deductions for uniform costs.
The NSLF is also seeking cooperation from the Namibian government’s Central Procurement Board (CPBN).
“We call on the CPBN and all procurement authorities not to award tenders to companies that violate this wage directive.
"Paying poverty wages while bidding for government work is unethical, illegal and disgraceful. Enforcement must begin now,” Hausiku stressed.
Despite promises, a CPBN spokesperson had not provided any answers to questions by press time.
The NSLF also holds the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security accountable.
Questions sent to the ministry in this regard were shuffled from one official to another.
Ministry spokesperson Margaret Kalo referred the query to the police's spokesperson, deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi.
However, Shikwambi said the matter was labour-related and should instead be referred to Maria Hedimbi, spokesperson for the labour ministry.
Enforce labour law
Also speaking at the event was Corinus Kotzé, vice president of SAN.
He said the NSLF examined the affordability of the minimum wage adjustments and succeeded in convincing government to implement the increases over a three-year period.
According to him, the agreed-upon minimum wage adjustments must be enforceable, but just as important is the new joint agreement outlining employment conditions. “Employment conditions are equally important,” he emphasised.
Follow the link to a video of the press conference at: q.my.na/I9Q7
- [email protected]
The agreement, which brings together the employer organisation the Security Association of Namibia (SAN) and unions including the Namibia Security Workers Union (Naswu), the Namibia Independent Security Union (Nisu), the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau), and the Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN), has been updated under the framework of the Namibia Security Labour Forum (NSLF).
Mikka Joseph, Naswu secretary-general, who was a security guard himself for 13 years, said the working conditions for guards remain inhumane.
Even though the government officially raised the minimum wage for security guards to N$13.50 per hour at the start of this year, many security companies reportedly still refuse to comply with the wage directive.
The joint agreement confirms this minimum wage adjustment and commits the industry to increase the minimum wage to N$16 per hour next year and again to N$18 per hour in 2027.
“These figures are no longer optional, they are now law,” emphasised Andreas Hausiku, head of security at PSUN and an NSLF representative at the event. “Today, we speak with one voice – employers and employee representatives equally," he said adding that "when justice is delayed, dignity is denied".
Lack of enforcement
According to the NSLF, the partnership is essential because government has never truly enforced the Security Enterprises and Security Officers Act (SESORB) 19 of 1998 through the publication of the necessary regulations in the Government Gazette.
“Even today, 32 years later, the regulations needed to enforce this law are still absent,” said Hausiku.
He said the current situation only benefits those who profit from chaos, evade taxes, pay guards less than taxi fares and enforce unlawful deductions for uniform costs.
The NSLF is also seeking cooperation from the Namibian government’s Central Procurement Board (CPBN).
“We call on the CPBN and all procurement authorities not to award tenders to companies that violate this wage directive.
"Paying poverty wages while bidding for government work is unethical, illegal and disgraceful. Enforcement must begin now,” Hausiku stressed.
Despite promises, a CPBN spokesperson had not provided any answers to questions by press time.
The NSLF also holds the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security accountable.
Questions sent to the ministry in this regard were shuffled from one official to another.
Ministry spokesperson Margaret Kalo referred the query to the police's spokesperson, deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi.
However, Shikwambi said the matter was labour-related and should instead be referred to Maria Hedimbi, spokesperson for the labour ministry.
Enforce labour law
Also speaking at the event was Corinus Kotzé, vice president of SAN.
He said the NSLF examined the affordability of the minimum wage adjustments and succeeded in convincing government to implement the increases over a three-year period.
According to him, the agreed-upon minimum wage adjustments must be enforceable, but just as important is the new joint agreement outlining employment conditions. “Employment conditions are equally important,” he emphasised.
Follow the link to a video of the press conference at: q.my.na/I9Q7
- [email protected]
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