Dear Editor,

The following is an open letter to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA).

Jamaica achieved a major milestone on April 1, 2023 when the Government finally recognised security officers as employees. But two years later not all security companies are treating their security officers as employees, and the major reason for this, as far as I understand it, is because businesses in the private sector are paying private security companies below market price for the service of a security guard.

I have been told that some security companies are charging clients over $700 per hour for a security officer. Meanwhile, other clients are not willing pay more than $600 per hour.

Currently the minimum wage is $400 per hour for a 40-hour workweek; $600 for time and half; and $800 when you work on a public holiday or rest day. Laundry allowance is $52.38 per hour for security officers. An average security officer works 120 hours fortnightly.

When I calculate the current minimum wage with the addition of time and half for a security officer who works 120 hours for the fortnight it works out to $519.05 per hour. Now security officers are entitled to sick leave, vacation leave, and maternity leave when applicable. In addition, security companies have overhead costs, even if they only employ 10 individuals.

Therefore, when a business/client insists on paying no more than $600 per hour for the services of a security officer it is basically forcing the security company not to pay its officers the minimum wage and benefits they are entitled to as employees.

As such, the PSOJ and PSRA must play a part in helping to regulate the private security industry.

The issue of security companies paying their employees below the minimum wage when they work overtime can be easily solved by the PSRA and PSOJ. Firstly, the PSRA, a government entity and the regulator of the private security industry should ensure that licensed security companies agree to a standard rate.

The PSOJ can play its part by encouraging businesses to pay no less than the agreed standard rate. Some businesses may opt to hire their own security officers, but even so, they must ensure their officers are treated as employees: paid overtime and receive all benefits to which they are entitled.

The Jamaica Association for Private Security (JAPS) awaits a response to this urgent matter from the PSRA and PSOJ. It would be great for the Government and private sector to be united on this matter and make a joint statement to the nation.

Since the PSRA falls under the Ministry of National Security I recommend that the handling of this issue be assigned to Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, state minister for that ministry.

Some may argue that this is a Ministry of Labour matter and not a Ministry of National Security matter. But the regulators of the private security industry is under the ambit of the Ministry of National Security, which makes it a proactive body. The Ministry of Labour plays a reactionary role by handling disputes and pointing out breaches of the labour laws to the PSRA so that it can take the necessary action against those who run afoul of the law.

Teddylee Gray

President, Jamaica Association for Private Security

japs.movement@gmail.com

teddylee.gray@gmail.com