KINGSTON, Jamaica— Vincent Morrison, the president of the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE) has called on the Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr to launch an investigation into the working conditions of security guards.

Morrison in a statement on Monday, said over the past months, hundreds of security guards have been sent on retirement without any retirement benefit, without any help or assistance from their employers.

“Over the past months, hundreds of security guards have been sent on retirement without any retirement benefit, without any help or assistance from their employers. Many security guards who have served the industry diligently and well, some in excess of 30 years are aged, sick, and diabetic, cannot buy medication and are desperate with no reliable source to call upon for assistance,” he said.

Morrison said UCASE will be pushing extremely hard in making strong representation for a commission of inquiry into the overall and general working conditions of security guards.

“After 65 years of independence, we submit without fear of contradiction that no group or category of workers in Jamaica should be subjected to the harsh treatment, poor working conditions and the denial of basic benefits such as pension, medical coverage, low wages as is the situation facing the 25,000 security guards working across Jamaica. Consequently, UCASE will be pushing extremely hard in making strong representation for a commission of inquiry into the overall and general working conditions of workers in the security guard industry,” Morrison said.

He further called on the Minister of Labour and Social Security to launch an investigation into the conditions of these workers.

“The union is also requesting an urgent meeting with the minister to further amplify the case especially for these workers who have been sent off on retirement without any assistance from their employers,” Morrison said.