Categorization of security guards as ‘skilled’; armed security guards & security supervisors as ‘highly skilled’ workers on the cards

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Bandaru Dattatreya_MoS_indianbureaucracy
Bandaru Dattatreya_MoS_indianbureaucracy

The Ministry of Labour and Employment will soon announce categorisation of security guards as ‘skilled’ workers and armed security guards and security supervisors as ‘highly skilled’, entitling them to receive a minimum wage of Rs 15,000 per month and Rs 25,000 per month, respectively. This was disclosed here today by Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour and Employment, Government of India, while addressing the annual Private Security Industry Conclave 2016, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Mr. Dattatreya said that the Government was pursuing labour reforms vigorously, which is part of the larger goal of the government to link some of the key flagship programmes, like Skill India, Make in India and Start-up India. The much awaited move by the Modi Government will not only bring enhanced wages to over 50 lakh security personnel currently engaged in the private security space, but will provide social security cover to over 2.5 crore of their family members. The decision will also enable private security agencies to recruit, train and employ quality workforce for the sector, which has been an indispensable demand of the all stakeholders alike – security agencies, corporations, and the public. As part of the simplification exercise, the codification and amalgamation of 44 Central labour laws into four codes will be referred to the Cabinet shortly. He expressed hope that a Bill to this effect will be introduced in the next session of Parliament for approval. The four codes relate to wages, industrial relations, social security and working conditions & health and safety. Ms. Manjari Jaruhar, Chair, FICCI Committee on Private Security Industry and Former Special DG, CISF, in her remarks, said that some of the key issues which the FICCI Committee on Private Security Industry has been flagging to various ministries and government bodies are effective enforcement of PSAR Act, 2005; armed security for cash logistics and classification of security guard as a skilled worker and armed security guard and security supervisors as highly skilled worker.

Mr. Rituraj Sinha, Co-Chair, FICCI Committee on Private Security Industry and Group COO, SIS India Ltd., said that FICCI has been continuously striving to seek an enabling framework for the Private Security Industry. From the Ministry for Labour and Employment, the Chamber has sought categorisation of security guards as skilled workers and armed security guards/ security supervisors as highly skilled workers; advisory to States to ensure skilled category pay rates for trained security workers across India and a Simplified ‘Wage Code’. Ms. Sudha Pillai, Chair, FICCI Task Force on Labour Reforms and former Union Labour Secretary, pointed out that a major responsibility of the government today was to find jobs for the growing number of people that are joining the workforce every year. An environment of safety, she emphasised, was imperative for attracting investment. “If the private security industry grows, people coming out of agriculture will have job opportunities and ultimately lead to inclusive growth in the country,” she said.

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