Slave trade in security sector

Published: Monday | September 26, 2011
THE EDITOR, Sir:
It is rather astounding that an industry as large as the security sector is overlooked and seemingly unnoticed as indulging in the slave trade in Jamaica. A typical security guard is asked to work 12 hours minimum per day for five or six days a week, and the only break entitled to him/her within this 12-hour shift is a so-called lunch break which is a maximum of half an hour.
In some security companies, women who become pregnant are asked to go home as soon the pregnancy is obvious. They are asked to leave without any further salary or maternity payment. There are many more inhumane acts meted out to security guards, but time and space do not allow.
It is quite interesting that although a security guard pays all the necessary taxes such as PAYE, education, National Insurance Scheme and the National Housing Trust, they are denied normal benefits such as vacation leave and sick leave with pay.
I am in my mid-30s and I have never voted. I am a security slave working in Jamaica. My position is this: The political party which makes the abolition of security slavery a reality instead of just a discussion may have my vote. Give security officers equal rights and justice as any other working-class citizen.
SECURITY SLAVE
Kingston