SECURITY guards have expressed dissatisfaction over failure by their employers to pay them in United States dollars or equivalent rate despite them charging tariffs in foreign currency, Zim Morning Post has learnt.
That they charge clients in forex was exposed during the current salary negotiations between the employers and their workers mediated by the National Employment Council for Security Industry (NEC).
Employers are being represented by the Security Association of Zimbabwe (Saz) and Zimbabwe National Security Association (Zinsa).
On the other hand, employees are being represented by Zimbabwe Security Guards Workers’ Union (Zisegu) and the Private Security Workers Union (PSWU).
Documents seen by the Zim Morning Post show that for every 12-hour shift per month, Saz charges their clients US$400 whereas Zinsa charges US$380.
Both associations, however, are paying their employees between ZWL$1500 and ZWL$2500 which is equivalent to between US$15 and US$21.
Writing to the security industry NEC during the ongoing negotiations, Saz proposed to pay employees ZWL2 550.00 which is equivalent to just US$21.25.
According to papers submitted to the NEC, Saz is proposing that dog handlers be paid ZWL10.24 allowance per month (apart from their salaries) although they are charging their clients US$161 for the same period.
Security guards who spoke with Zim Morning Post, however, said the proposed salaries were a reflection of the employers’ mindset which believes in slavery.
“We have employers that do not care about the welfare of their employees. If you look at the proposed wages, they are a reflection of the slave mentality that has gripped these employers,” said a security guard who refused to say his name in fear of victimisation.
The security guards claim the salaries are a form of modern-day slavery since they do not meet the Poverty Datum Line which is currently pegged at ZWL4 055.
“A room in Harare costs US$20.00 while I need at least US$1.00 every day to go to and from work, so how does Safeguard expect me to survive,” he added.
