Lack of insurance cover and low salaries are contributing to the hardships of private security guards as security companies are just making money instead of facilitating their employees. Thousands of guards are working in around 150 security companies which mostly hire retired army men and provide security services to private firms, banks, superstores and residential areas in the federal capital. The security companies are getting over 40 per cent commission out of the salaries of these guards, which is a great injustice. Unavailability of transport facility is also being faced by most of these security guards.
Moreover, dozens of companies don’t pay salaries to the guards regularly.
Moreover, salaries of some companies are too low to satisfy their guards who sometimes perform duties for more than 12 hours a day. The pay of guards is between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,000. Their common age is 50, but poverty forces them to do such a risky and underpaid job. Generally, private guards are equipped with shotguns while rifles and pistols are also given to those working at sensitive places. “We are forced to take risks of our lives for a few rupees owing to the skyrocketing inflation,” said Asjad Ali, a guard. “I have no other option but to work for Rs 8,000 to support my family in the prevailing situation,” he added.
Low salaries and no benefits adding to woes of security guards
