Dear Editor,
The initiative by the Government to provide jobs for the unemployed in different communities is indeed commendable. Forty thousand dollars for ten days work in addition to any other income earned for the remaining days compounded with the earning of other family members would greatly assist to cushion the increase in the cost of living and to defray other expenses.
I want to suggest however, with the increase in crimes experienced in all communities that the Government should consider the employment of the unemployed as security guards. That alone would provide thousands of jobs in keeping with the Government’s objective.
Such employment however should be in keeping with the relevant laws with respect to hour of work, overtime, NIS and leave entitlements. The suggestion of forty thousand dollars for ten days work is already above the minimum wage, but once they exceed eight hours per day, overtime should be paid. Their leave at the end of the year should be calculated on the basis of every 160 hours or twenty days worked, one day leave.
Guards should also be provided with some form of visible identification, a cell phone with numbers of prominent citizens, community policing groups and the nearest police station; and placed at strategic locations such as ingress and egress within the community. I want to suggest two shifts, i.e. 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. with the graveyard shift being alternated every other week.
The guards should be given detailed instructions on performance requirements such as noting and reporting any suspicious activities especially by strangers.
Responsibility for payment of wages, adherence to the respective laws and N.I.S. deductions should be the responsibility of the N.D.C. or someone specially appointed by the government to ensure this. The business community and other responsible citizens within can also be asked to assist in monitoring the performance of the guards since it will enhance the security of the community. This, in addition to other jobs, such as clearing of canals and garbage within the community cannot be construed as handouts or racially driven since it would be payments for services rendered.
Yours sincerely,
D. Singh
