THE Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA) is appealing to guards contracted to private security companies to register under the sector’s self-contributory health insurance scheme provided by the Guardian Group.

This health scheme, which was launched in November 2016 by Minister of National Security Robert Montague, targets security guards who are employed to private security companies across Jamaica.

Executive Director of the PSRA Rosalyn Monteith Campbell told J IS News that there are more than 25,000 registered security guards, with 4,000 registered under the scheme, but only 402 paid up to date.

“This initiative is a win-win situation. It benefits the guards, the companies and all of the persons within the security industry. Although we largely speak of the guards, the scheme is open to all persons who are licensed and registered with the PSRA,” she explained.

Monteith Campbell thanked the guards who have supported the scheme so far, especially those who have taken the interest in their own future to make the effort to make payments. She is, however, encouraging the others to register and make their payments so that the scheme may become more viable.

The benefits under the scheme are as follows: Under option one, for employee only, an amount of $997 is paid per month; employee with one dependent pays $1,995; and employee with two or more dependents pays a rate of $2,793 per month. Dental and optical are not included, but all other basic health benefits and major medical valued at $2 million are included.

Under option two, for employee only, a rate of $1,143 per month is paid; for employee with one dependent, $2,413; and employee with two or more dependents, $3,202. Dental and optical are not included, but all other basic health benefits and major medical valued at $2.5 million, are included.

Under option three, employee only is $1,205 per month; employee with one dependent, $2,413, and employee with two or more dependents, $3,377. Dental and optical are not included, but all other basic health benefits and major medical valued at $3 million are included.

Meanwhile, for option four, employee only is $1,361 per month; employee with one dependent, $2,724; employee with two and more dependents, $3,811. Dental and optical are included, along with other health benefits and major medical valued at $4 million.

For option five, for employee only, $1,882 monthly; employee with one dependent, $3,767; employee with two or more dependents, $5,272 per month. Dental and optical are included along with other health benefits and major medical valued at $5 million.

Presently the PSRA collects and hands over payments quarterly to Guardian Group on behalf of the guards. But as of October 1, when deductions are made at source by the security companies, funds will be paid over every two weeks.

Monteith Campbell is advising security guards not to confuse the health insurance with the life insurance.

Explaining, she said the life insurance is a requirement under the Minimum Wage and Industrial Security Act, which requires that every employer must provide for each guard within their employ life insurance valued at $2.5 million, with double indemnity for accidental death, which will take it to a total of $5 million.

The PSRA is a statutory body under the Ministry of National Security charged with the responsibility of monitoring and regulating all stakeholders in the private security industry.