With growing number of robberies and burglaries, security guards have become a common sight in establishments and homes across the State. But have security agencies secured their own credentials with the government?
Believe it or not, only two of the 300-odd security agencies are reported to have been granted the licence to operate in the State.
Security agencies are mainly run by retired personnel from the army, police or government’s security services. Most security agencies operating in the State provide security guards, bodyguards and patrol officers for their clients.
When contacted, Additional Secretary (Home) Sanjeev Gadkar said the State government had issued an Extra Ordinary Gazette notification on March 17, 2008, consequent to the Private Security Agency Regulations Act-2005.
“Only those security agencies fulfilling requirements in the notification can be issued licenses by the government and it’s mandatory for security agencies to obtain a license from the state government. However, most security agencies do not fulfill the requirements sought by the government for granting of license,” said Gadkar.
“There are about 300 security agencies in the State, but so far, only two security agencies, G4S Secure Solutions (India) and Modern VRS Security, both operating from Porvorim, have obtained licenses from the State government. Around 64 security agencies have applied for licenses and their applications are being processed,” he said.
According to Gadkar, security agencies applying for a licence have to adhere to some basic conditions. “The security agency must have trained personnel, a training centre and the antecedents of the owner should be disclosed,” said Gadkar.
“The State government has already advised all security agencies to apply for licenses within two months. Security agencies failing to obtain licences will be asked to stop their operations,” said Gadkar.
G4S Secure Solutions (India) Assistant Vice President Lt Col K Nambiar admitted that most of their 1925-odd security guards employed in Goa are from neighbouring states. “Goans do not like to work as security guards, forcing us to recruit people from other states. All our security guards undergo training at our centre in Verna,” said Lt Col Nambiar.
Asked if G4S security had joined the Security Association of Goa (SAG), he replied in the negative and added that only 32 security agencies had registered with the SAG.
“The State government has fixed the minimum wages of Rs 215 per day (inclusive of a weekly off) for an 8 hour shift and we have adhered to these guidelines,” he remarked.
Speaking to Herald, many security guards complained that security agencies were depriving them of minimum wages.
“The minimum wages we should get is Rs 5,590 per month for an eight-hour shift, inclusive of weekly offs. But we only get around Rs 4500 per month and some security guards are made to work a 12-hour shift,” said a security guard.
When contacted, Assistant Labour Commissioner (Mapusa) Rupesh Kothambikar admitted that some companies had failed to pay minimum wages to security guards.
“But when we visit these security agencies, we find that documents maintained by the employer are in order and hence, we cannot take any action. Moreover, security guards do not register their complaints with the Labour department for fear of losing their jobs and so, we cannot do anything in the matter,” said Kothambikar.
