Black Bush Polder security officers protest over non-payment of salaries
…as December and January salaries still outstanding
Security officers of Black Bush Polder who are attached to Integrated Security Services on Monday took to the streets demanding that the company pay their December and January salaries.
The security firm was contracted to provide security to Government buildings.
One of the officers, Sookdeo McTuria, who has been performing duties at the Mibicuri Hospital, said he will not be returning to work until his demands are met.
“We did not have a salary for the past two months and we did not have any leave package for the past three years since Integrated Security come on. Since 2017, we have been working with the company.”
Several security officers protesting for their salaries on Monday
Previously the security officers worked with another company but after the contract was awarded to Integrated Security Services, the guards who were already working at the various locations were employed.
The guards are also alleging that their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) deductions are being made but not paid over.
The guards were last paid on December 18 for the month of December.
Meanwhile, several of the aggrieved officers explained that they either ride a bicycle or walk to their respective work stations since they can no longer afford to take public transportation to get to work.
This is not the first time security officers attached to the security firm protested. Back in May 2018, the security personnel had protested in New Amsterdam demanding March and April salaries.
They had also protested in January and February of that year, calling for payment of salaries.
Only two months after the security company took up the contract, workers protested, demanding uniforms and salaries in December of 2017.
In September 2020, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton had called out security companies for not submitting NIS contributions and late payment of salaries.
He had also said that his Ministry was going to look into allegations that a certain security company was in the habit of withholding salaries from the working class.
Meanwhile, telephone calls to the company’s head office in Georgetown went unanswered.
