The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) says while it welcomes the sentiments expressed by Labour Minister Karl Samuda regarding the worker-related benefits of security guards, there needs to be a more proactive approach.

In recent times, security guards have staged several protests, calling for an intervention with issues affecting their contracts. According to the guards, they said they are being forced to sign new contracts with very little benefits in their favour.

In his parliamentary address last Wednesday, Samuda outlined that in regards to the new employment contracts, all security guards are workers and are therefore to be guaranteed vacation leave, sick leave, overtime, maternity leave where applicable, and all minimum standards for decent work in Jamaica.

READ: 85% of security guards have signed employment contracts— Samuda

In speaking of new contracts issued to security guards, vice president of the BITU, Rudolph Thomas said any agreement that is in breach of Labour Standards should be brought before the Ministry of Labour for immediate intervention.

“We believe that once the content of any sample agreement received by the Ministry of Labour has the appearance of being ultra vires, not just guaranteed employee benefits, but any provision in law, it is within the ambit and of the Ministry to appropriately address those matters, whether an official complaint has been lodged or not. There is provision for the Ministry to act on their own volition once they become aware of certain actions or situations”.

In agreeing with the Minister’s acknowledgement of there being “the lack of specific transitional arrangements” in the new employment contracts, Thomas stated that the provisions must be made to ensure that no security guard is disenfranchised as they transition to a “new employment instrument.”

The vice president added that a Joint Industrial Council (JIC), as exists within the construction and sugar industries, is the “only viable mechanism through which the interests of all parties; Government, workers and employers are equally heard and considered.”

“The BITU has reviewed the contracts and have found several serious concerns which MUST be addressed, especially based on the Minister’s determination that “85% of them have already signed new employment contracts”, it is even more so important that the establishment of a JIC be fast-tracked.

Thomas said employers so far have relied on fear to have some workers comply and do what they “genuinely know will harm or disenfranchise them.”

“The demonstrations from those who stand on the 1938 principles of Bustamante can’t keep popping up because of their disgruntlement. A 25,000+ employee industry needs to settle down and a JIC can fast track that.”

He further explained that such a JIC would serve not only in harmonising the transitions of the guards and provide them with a collective voice, but would serve as a permanent establishment to treat with all matters evolving in the industrial relations landscape moving forward.