Security companies set a deadline of April 1 this year to honour a court ruling which indicated that security guards are not contract workers but employees with all attendant benefits.
.png)
00:00
00:00
00:00
Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr.
By Halshane Burke
Security companies could find themselves in court if they fail to abide by the labour laws.
The companies set a deadline of April 1 this year to honour a court ruling which indicated that security guards are not contract workers but employees with all attendant benefits.
Following the transition, a number of guards protested that they were being required to sign contracts that would see them losing benefits accumulated over several years.
Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. said in respect to complaints received from guards, the ministry has ramped up its inspection and intensified its support to the Parish Courts for the settlement of outstanding payments due to industrial security guards.
"Recognising that guidance was critical in the transition from the erroneous treatment of the workers as so-called independent contractors, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security conducted sensitisation sessions with employers as security guards to ensure that the companies are in full compliance with our labour legislations."
With the platform to facilitate full compliance now set, any company found in breach of the requirements of the labour laws "will be brought to books using the full extent of the law," Mr. Charles warned.
He said several workers who disputed the terms and conditions of the new contracts have been engaged by the ministry in respect to settling their claims for outstanding payments.
Mr. Charles added that worksheets for payment have been sent to employers on behalf of more than 100 complainants. It is expected that these will be settled shortly, otherwise, the matters will be escalated for court action.
comments powered by Disqus
All feeds
