ISF welcomes pay hike for security professionals

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

The ISF said that the decisions made by wage 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 1 January 2013.

Accordingly, minimum wages for personnel covered by the wages board for the 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. (Refer Gazette Extra Ordinary No. 1789/19 – 212 of 18 December).

In addition, the Budgetary Relief Allowance of Rs. 1000 granted to workers by Act No. 36 of 2005 and applied to the security services trade with effect from 1 January 2006 will continue to be in effect. (Refer Gazette Extraordinary No. 1417/22 – 2005 of 3 November).

The increase constitutes part of the wages and shall be deemed for all purposes to include contributions to EPF & ETF, annual holiday and overtime remuneration, maternity benefit payment and that of gratuity.

Close upon 100,000 personnel employed in the commercial and industrial security services trade will receive their enhanced pay packet this week. The 30% pay hike granted will increase the minimum remuneration of a junior security officer, working on an eight hour shift roster to Rs. 13, 826 per month, inclusive of payment for four weekly off days, full moon Poya days and employer’s contribution of 15% for EPF/ETF.

The security personnel are generally employed on a 12 hour shift roster, thus average monthly income will now be Rs. 22,958, Those employed in the security services trade are also entitled to six specific public holidays and 14 days of annual leave with remuneration not less than a daily minimum rate of wages by statute, subject to the provisions made in the Wages Board Ordinance for the Security Services Trade, which came in to effect on 1 April 2000, alternatively, in terms of the Holidays Act No. 29 of 1971.

Welcoming the Government‘s decision, Ajith Jayasekera, the spokesman of the Security Foundation stated: “The timely pay hike is a great relief and is a morale boost for the rank and file. Right now, the security industry is facing a manpower crisis with 25,000 job vacancies without takers. Wage increases and the expedition of the de-regularisation of deserters from armed services are bound to improve the situation.”

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

The Industrial Security Foundation (Sri Lanka) Inc. has come forward to offer consultation and advice on the computation of wage increases and related issues on a non-commercial basis. For inquiries, contact the ISF help desk on 0777476103.