ISF welcomes pay hike for security professionals

The Industrial Security Foundation (Sri Lanka) Inc, ISF body corporate for commercial and industrial security trade has welcomed the pay hike granted to security personnel (Private Security).

ISF said that the decisions made by wages boards representing 37 trades to increase the minimum wages by 30 - 40% , approved by the Minister of Labour and Labour Relations, has now come into effect from 01st January' 2013.

Accordingly, minimum wages for personnel covered by the Wages Board for Security Services Trade has been increased by 30%, thus the revised minimum wage for operational staff is Rs.8,820/- and supervisory staff Rs.9,440/-. Per mensum. (Refer Gazette Extra Ordinary No.1789/19 - 212 of 18th December).

In addition, the Budgetary Relief Allowance of Rs.1000/- granted to workers by Act No. 36 of 2005 and applied for Security Services Trade with effect from 01st Jan'2006 will continue to be in effect.

The increase constitutes part of the wages and shall be deemed for all purposes to include contributions to EPF and ETF. Annual Holiday and Overtime Remuneration, Maternity Benefit Payment and that of the Gratuity.

Close upon One hundred thousand personnel are employed in the commercial and industrial security services trade, will receive their enhanced pay packet this week. The 30% pay hike so granted will increase the minimum remuneration of a Junior Security Officer, working on an 8 hr. shift roster to Rs.13, 826/- per month, inclusive of payment for four weekly off days, full moon poya day and employer's contribution of 15% for EPF/ETF.

The Security personnel are generally employed on a 12 hr. shift roster, thus average monthly income will now be Rs.22.958/-.

Those employed in the security services trade also entitled for six specific Public Holidays and fourteen days of Annual Leave with remuneration of not less than a daily minimum rate of wages by statute, subject to the provisions made in the Wages Board Ordinance for Security Services Trade, which came in to effect on April 1, 2000.

Welcoming the government decision, Ajith Jayasekera, the spokesman of the Security Foundation says. "The timely pay hike is a great relief and morale boosts for the rank and file, right now the security industry facing a manpower crisis with 25,000 job vacancies existing, without takers. Wage increase and the expedition of the de-regularization of deserters from arm services are bound to improve the situation".

ISF appeals to the corporate heads and security service providers to maintain good administrative ethics and join hands to uplift the profession to greater heights.

The Industrial Security foundation (Sri Lanka) Inc., ISF has come forward to offer consultation and advice on the computation of wage increase and related issues on non-commercial basis.