Martin Endjala
The Security Association of Namibia (SAN) has called for calmness after it reported that some of its members have, of late, been under pressure from their employees who are constantly demanding wage increments.
“Yes, employees are complaining and will continue to do so, but now we want to focus on the security industry as a whole, for the betterment of salaries to happen, the industry needs to be structured well or regulated, we must first talk about that before going to salaries,’’ SAN President Dhiginina Uutaapama said.
According to Uutaapama, the association wants to make sure that regulations are fully complied as per their arrangement.
Members of the Namibia Security Labour Forum (NSLF) met on March 20, 2023, to discuss the current state of affairs concerning the security industry in Namibia and the Labour Forum in particular, where all parties agreed to work together to save the security industry in Namibia. It is said that the industry has an act, which cannot be enforced without regulations. This is according to a statement issued on Monday.
In the statement, parties are advocating for the enforcement of the regulations of the security labour Act 19 of 1998 and to ensure that security companies operate within the legal framework, for example, unfair labour practices and unregulated trade as well as a competitive environment.
Furthermore, the parties resolved to revise the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Labour Forum and to review the collective agreement signed on 12 May 2012.
Uutaapama said that the collective goal is not only to focus on the minimum wage but also to consider the security industry and consumers’ welfare and that the new revised collective agreement’s aim will be to address the challenges facing the security industry and create a sustainable environment for both employees and employers.
Moreover, the parties are further advocating for the sensitization of stakeholders and end consumers on the actual hourly costs of the security industry.
This, Uutaapama said, will ensure that all parties are aware of the actual hourly costs associated with providing quality security services and the need to balance the costs and quality of service delivery.
Meanwhile, the Namibia Security Labour Forum is said to be working together with Namibia, to ensure that the security industry in Namibia is sustainable and that all parties benefit from the industry’s growth.
Uutaapama has asked for security officers to remain calm and patient as the parties are yet to commence with actual minimum wage negotiations, adding that they are busy laying down the necessary foundations that pave way for smooth and good faith negotiations.
