Guard is afraid to go home empty-handed
I completely agree with Brian (‘Spare a thought for those at the other end’, Letters June 16).
We all certainly cannot hold managerial positions but all of us have the right to be treated fairly and paid decently. The security guards and construction workers are unfortunately taken for granted and poorly paid.
The guards in my building hail from Pakistan and India.
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Both of them work seven days a week for 12 hours a day. It really disappoints me that these guys are made to work even on Fridays. Upon inquiring I found out that they are compelled to work to be able to support their families back home and their monthly income is Dhs800, from which they have to pay for their own meals and other expenses.
The building’s management only provides them with accommodation that’s shared by eight-12 men in one room. Their passports are held by the management.
One of the security guards in our building has been avoiding going on his annual leave for more than four years, simply because he could not face his wife and children. He said he was unable to save a single penny and fears returning home empty-handed.
This is the plight of many living in the UAE. People continue to struggle to make their ends meet. To make the situation worse, the cost of living is ever-increasing in contrast with the salaries. I just hope the Government takes into consideration the dilemma of such workers who struggle to survive with limited income.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Comments
by Isaac Murage
Wednesday, June 20 2012, 4:28AM
“@Its just me, i believe you are being economical with the truth, the same security guards work in other Emirates and get a basic of 2000 dhs, if one is to believe you the residents in those other Emirates don't pay charges blah blah. Admit it, something is wrong in Dubai and companies are taking advantage of these fellows.”
by api
Tuesday, June 19 2012, 5:27PM
“I agree that guards and construction workers are paid very less and their work has long hours... sometimes one wonders that the deserving people are not given the attention but instead to people who work in air conditioned houses with lots of benefits of being with a family are potrayed as helpless. (talking about good employers which are definitely more then the bad ones). I really feel sorry for the guards and workers working in 50 degrees with no such benefits and less salaries.”
by itsjustme
Tuesday, June 19 2012, 11:21AM
“Then you might want to advice your security officers to open a case with the labour department. Labour law indicates that normal working hours are 48 in a week. Anything additional is to be considered as overtime.
If i am not wrong, up to a certain amount can be accrued as time of in lieu, above a certain limit has to be paid off as overtime (not 100% confident about the time in lieu bit but all the rest is correct).”
by Fatima_Suhail
Monday, June 18 2012, 6:08PM
“@ its just me, please bear in mind that these security guards are made to work 7 days a week for 12 hours per day and are not paid any over-time or extras. This is their regular work schedule, sadly and their salaries are fixed 800 a month.”
by itsjustme
Monday, June 18 2012, 2:37PM
“The government is already doing something about it and now a considerable amount of nationalities have a minimum wage imposed by their own government to the UAE.
A valid copy of the contract needs to be presented for visa purposes and should the amount not be as per the dictated one then the candidate will not be issued an exit permit from their own country to the UAE.
This is a practice that is expanding to now a lot of countries where mainly labor staff is recruited from.
Only way to bypass this is to be recruited in country and hence companies can play with salaries.
Whilst I agree with the point that the earnings are low, often the expenses are high and the living and working conditions are debatable, this, unfortunately is how the business still runs.
An example, the service charge you pay on your apartment.
Increasing the salary of your security officers will have a direct impact on the service charge. Now in most places people complain that the service charges are high and keep on increasing.
If security / facilities management companies want to remain competitive they will have to source staff on low incomes, meals not always included and sometimes poor living conditions.
Regarding the no holidays / 7 working days / 12 hours? It is overtime and they get paid for it!
Dog biting his tail kind of topic... sad but (unfortunately) very true!”