By Halshane Burke
The Union of Clerical Administrative and Supervisory Employees, has welcomed the announced increase in the national minimum wage and the rate for industrial security guards.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday announced the increases, with the minimum wage moving to $13,000, up from $9,000, and the weekly rate for security guards moving from $10,500 to $14,000, effective June 1.
Speaking with Radio Jamaica News, UCASE President Vincent Morrison said the increases are more in line with a liveable wage.
But despite the increased pay, Mr. Morrison said the security guards are concerned about inadequate social protection.
He said the guards are faced with a myriad of issues, including having no recourse of they get injured on the job as well as no benefits or their contributions are not being turned over to the National Housing Trust.
The trade unionist said the guards need to be unionised but the government has not put in place a mechanism to protect them.
He again renewed his call for a joint industrial council to address the concerns of security guards.
