Former President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce Joe Issa says Security is imperative for doing business all over the world today and Jamaica is no exception.
In backing Minister of National Security Robert Montague’s call for improved working conditions for some 32,000 security guards in the country Issa, who is executive chairman of Cool Corp, one of Jamaica’s largest conglomerates argues that without security there is no business sector.
“We don’t like the guns, but we can’t survive without the security,” Issa admits.
“Despite some failing to plan, businesses don’t generally plan to fail and whether they are small or big, security for the business and workers is crucial…it is one of the most critical consideration…it can determine where you locate and how you protect your workers and assets, as well as the way you transact business.
“In that way, security guards had made themselves indispensable in light of criminal activities, which came to a head in the early 1990s, when businesses and workers were openly being attacked, resulting in relocation and some cases closure of the business altogether,” says Issa.
Stating that the country “would do well to make the lives of security guards more secure and comfortable,” Issa adds, “Any measures which will reduce their long and tiring hours is a step to greater security for client companies and their employees.”
Minister Montague, who said he would be lobbying for improvements in the working conditions of private security guards, is scheduled to take several proposals to Cabinet, including a mandatory day off per week for them.
Analysts say the mandatory day off when passed by parliament will join an agreement signed last year to provide thousands of security guards access to a self-contributory health insurance scheme.
The policy, which is operated through Guardian Life Limited and was designed in collaboration with the Private Security Regulation Authority, is based on the salaries of the guards. It includes individual and family plans for $997 and $1,473 per month, respectively, as well as one for $2,725 for higher categories of wage earners.
Joseph Issa, Jamaica, Sea, Sand and Sun 