The Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) has expressed concern over the lack of any consultation on the increase announced in the minimum wage, considering that the group is a major stakeholder in the security sector.
GAPSO in a press release last evening said that the organization is now calling on the Minister of Labour to have an urgent meeting to discuss their concerns and to hear their views on the matter.
According to GAPSO, increases across the board will impact on the payroll of both members and their clients, especially since the charges for security services attract Value Added Tax (VAT).
The organization said that at a meeting on May 9 it noted the increased minimum wage announced by Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr. Roger Luncheon.
“Our first concern is for the lack of consultation between the Minister of Labour and GAPSO, a major stakeholder in the Security Sector whose members collectively employ more than fifty percent (50%) of the people working in Guyana’s Private Sector,” the private security organization noted.
GAPSO said it is concerned that “the organisation was not consulted in the tripartite process to determine minimum wages generally.”
Moreover, GAPSO pointed out that no consideration appears to have been given to the publication of the rates nationally, or an adequate time period for its phased implementation.
GAPSO also contended that many of their members “have existing contracts, where clients have to be given notice of rate increases, moreso an increase said to be as significant as forty percent (40%).”
Meanwhile, GAPSO stated that while they are in “support of any effort that would bring a decent livable wage to every Guyanese, it is equally important that all stakeholders are consulted in the process of arriving at a rate that is fair.”
GAPSO membership comprises the following security services: Cops Guyana Ltd; Federal Management Systems; MMC Security Force; GEB; Professional Guard Service; NM Security Solutions; Brans Security; RK’s Security; Kalibur Security; Security Alliance; Banks DIH Ltd; Guyoil; Laparkan; John Fernandes Ltd; Correia’s Mining Co; DIDCO; Beharry’s Security; Omai Gold Mines Ltd; Roraima Airways; GNIC; Guytrac; Intelliguard; Bank of Guyana; Courtney Benn Contracting Co Ltd; Bosai; and Amazon Security.
