Plight Of Security Guards

ALLOW me some space in your newspaper to express myself on an issue of concern.

During the last week of October 2009, while in front of a certain building in northern industrial area, I noticed with dismay the condition of the room of one of the security guards. It was a very small, filthy room, with a chair literally falling apart and nothing else. The time was around 18h30 in the evening and he was waiting for his colleague who was doing the night shift to replace him. When I approached him and asked a few questions, I learned the following:a) He is employed by a security companyb) Their monthly salaries do not exceed N$1 000, except when they have worked ‘overtime’ when they receive around N$1 200c) His uniform was very dirty and partly torn. They were responsible for washing their own uniforms. He appeared hungry and I gave him the N$20 I had in my wallet.d) He informed me that they only receive one pair of shoes per year (no socks) but N$150 is deducted from their salaries to pay for shoes. When the van arrived, in which his fellow employees were transported, I could not believe my eyes! It was the type that one would use to transport goods, rather than humans. It only has two tiny windows, very congested and has no door at the back – a potential risk. People could fall out at any given time!My concern is: how is it possible that such businesses are allowed to operate in Namibia, so many years after Independence? When security companies commence operation, does the Ministry of Labour or some Labour body do any inspections to ensure the safety of workers?As a concerned citizen, I would really like to see that someone from the Ministry of Labour or from the Labour Commissioner’s office to investigate this company without delay and to protect this workers as soon as possible.L ShiyukaVia e-mailNote: This letter has been edited – Ed