A special day to honour security guards?
I refer to the article “Industry group wants day to honour security guards” (Straits Times, Mar 10).
Shortage of 10,000 guards?
It states that “The move comes amid a severe manpower crunch in the security guard sector. Industry players estimate that some 50,000 guards are needed, but only about 40,000 are actively working, a shortfall of about 10,000.
There are more than 66,000 unarmed security guards licensed by the police. Many of them do not take on work because of the long hours: It is the norm to work 12 hours a day, six days a week.”
How many are Singaporeans?
- What is the breakdown of the 40,000 guards into Singaporeans, permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners?
Has the influx of non-citizens into this industry contributed to the very low basic wage and very long hours?
4 in 10 licensed guards not working?
Since there are 66,000 licensed unarmed security guards, but only 40,000 are working – is it not a waste of the money and resources in training them?
This may be yet another example of poor manpower planning in which we expand so much time, effort and money, which may have been put to better use elsewhere.
Only $800 basic pay?
According to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Benchmarking Occupational Wages tool – the monthly basic and gross median salary for security guards was $800 and $1,700, respectively.
After all the rhetoric and initiatives this few years – why is the basic basic pay still so low – even below that of cleaners?
The NTUC’s latest progressive wage concept to raise their basic pay to $1,000 seems to be bogged down.
Reduce 72 hour work week?
In my view, after speaking to several security guards and people in the industry – the obvious solution is to reduce the typical 12 hours per day, 6 days a week – because no human being can withstand such “long” working hours perpetually.
Why is it that our labour movement and Manpower Ministry continue to allow such “barbaric” work hours and conditions to continue?
Moreover, it is sad that it would appear that most of the Singaporean security guards are elderly Singaporeans.
Leong Sze Hian
*Leong is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, has authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been host of a money radio show, a daily newspaper column, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for Malaysiakini, executive producer of the movie Ilo Ilo (24 international awards). He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors and 13 professional qualifications.