Private security vital to Jamaica
Published:Friday | January 13, 2023 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
In 2022, the issue of the private security industry and the treatment of security guards was one of the major news item. On September 23, 2022, Justice David Batts ruled that Marksman Limited security guards are employees and not independent contractors, for whom the company is obligated to pay statutory deductions. That landmark ruling is sets a precedent for all security companies when dragged before the court. So it is wise for the security companies to formalise the industry by making all security guards employees and not contractors.
Last year was historic with regard to security guards protesting at Cross Roads and Gordon House . It was also historic for security guards having sickouts. The issue of security guards was also discussed in the Parliament by Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke; Mark Golding, the leader of the Opposition, and opposition spokesperson on labour, Dr Angela Brown Burke, spoke on the matter.
It is clear that the Opposition and Government believe in the court ruling. They should seriously look into giving the Private Security Regulation Authority the authority to put checks and balances in place for the security companies. They should have the power to terminate or not to grant licences to security companies who don’t treat their security guards as employees.
We are hoping to see the end of this saga no later than April 1. We also expect to see a liveable minimum wage increase this year. We are also hoping to see a new minister of labour this year; if not, the current minister needs to change his approach. The private security industry workforce in Jamaica is the largest in the English-speaking Caribbean with an estimated 25,000-40,000 guards being employed. I estimate this industry’s value to be anywhere between $28 billion and $46 billion.
Jamaica has one of the highest murder rates in the world for the past two decades, hence the private security industry is crucial for the country. Replacing security guards with technology is a scaremongering tactic being tried by some security managers to threaten their workforce, but that can work as much and no more.
TEDDYLEE GRAY
President
Jamaica Association for Private Security