Bereng Mpaki
AROUND 500 security guards working for Security Unlimited intend to stage a four-day strike starting tomorrow over their remuneration and working conditions.
According to Lesotho Workers Association (LEWA) National Organiser, Hlalefang Seoaholimo, the security guards and their employer failed to reach a consensus, hence the industrial action.
LEWA is representing the workers in negotiations with the employer.
The workers want a 13 percent salary increment while the employer is prepared to give them seven percent; which is divided into six percent for basic pay and one percent for allowances.
“We don’t accept this six percent basic pay increment mainly because it is below the current inflation rate which is 6.3 percent,” Mr Seoaholimo said in an interview with the Sunday Express.
Negotiations involving workers, employers and the government through the Wages Advisory Board concluded in April this year with the parties agreeing on a seven percent increment for the 2017/18 financial year. This was despite demands by the workers for a 10 percent increment.
The workers also want to be paid an extra allowance of M30 per day for patrolling, which they have to do every 15 minutes while on duty regardless of the prevailing weather conditions.
The workers further want to be paid a nightly duty allowance of M50, which they are currently paid on a monthly basis.
And since the nature of their job does not allow them to take time off work for a lunch break as provided for by the labour laws, the workers also want an allowance of M15 per day as compensation.
Mr Seoaholimo said the initial four-day legal strike would continue for a further three days if the employer did not budge to their demands. He said it was up to the employer to ensure the strike was not prolonged by giving in to their demands.
Efforts to contact Security Unlimited officials yesterday were fruitless.