Some 33,000 security officers (SO) will stand to benefit from the launch of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for the security industry by the Security Tripartite Cluster (STC).
Led by the Labour Movement, the PWM was launched on 29 October 2014 at the NTUC Centre by NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How, who chairs the STC.
DSG Heng shared that besides wage recommendations, the STC has also agreed on “skills specifications, training requirements as well as support for improved productivity, use of equipment and better technology.”
LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD
As recommended by the STC, the PWM will consist of five levels with different job functions and level of responsibilities of SOs. The recommended starting monthly basic wage for SOs is $1,100, up from the current $800. This increases as the SO becomes better skilled, more productive and takes on more responsibilities.
From 1 September 2016, PWM for the security industry will be included as a mandatory licensing condition under the security agency licenses issued by the Singapore Police Force, so that changes are implemented consistently across the industry to achieve a level playing field for all security agencies (SAs).
NTUC Assistant Secretary- General and U Care Centre Director Zainal Sapari shared that there is no need for a separate legislation of the security PWM as the STC identified the licensing requirement by the PLRD (Police Licensing & Regulatory Department) for SAs as a “practical and easier way to ensure enforcement of the PWM”.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
To combat current long working hours and manpower shortage, the STC recommends that the industry adopts progressive practices to reduce overtime hours clocked by SOs. The STC commends SAs who have taken steps to reduce the excessive working hours of SOs from a six-day to a five/six-day week and from some 95 overtime hours monthly to 72 hours.
The STC will consider recommending an end to overtime exemption for the industry in 2017 after carefully monitoring industry movements, changes in shift patterns and streamlining of manpower requirements that may take place in the next two to three years.
BETTER DEAL FOR WORKERS
The industry stakeholders were urged to make full use of the schemes offered by the Government, NTUC and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) to adopt the PWM and embark on productivity improvements.
All in, the PWM will help SOs receive higher basic wages that commensurate with training, better skill sets, enhanced service standards and higher productivity.
“The PWM will enable me to have more skills so I can do my job better,” shared security officer Sarojini Sethuram, 61.
(Source: NTUC This Week)