The membership of The Association of Security Companies of Trinidad and Tobago (ASCOTT) and The Security Owners and Managers Associates of Trinidad and Tobago (SOMATT) has sought to bring some clarity to the minimum wage increase and how it will affect clients of those in the security sector.
In an advisory, ASCOTT and SOMATT said they have sensitising both organisations about concerns raised by the national client base regarding the impact of the adjustment to the minimum wage.
The associations said that historically, the security industry has refrained from offering a voice on issues relative to crime, national security or the security industry itself.
However, they said given the concerns of the clients transmitted to them through their membership, they believe it is incumbent to publicly address this disquiet.
“The concerns raised seems to suggest that there appears to be some ambiguity regarding cost implications of the $3.00 adjustment announced. The stated adjustment to the minimum wage of $3.00 results in the minimum wage moving from $17.50 to $20.50 per man hour. The $3.00 adjustment directly impacts operating costs that include but are not limited to: annual leave; sick leave; maternity leave; NIS contribution and any insurances e.g. public liability and workmen’s compensation where the premium is calculated based on the wage bill.”
The advisory added: “As a consequence, in addition to the $3.00 increase on the minimum wage, the cost of providing security services has increased by an additional $2.00 per man hour. Therefore the service provider is compelled to recognise an additional $5.00 per man hour in the cost of doing business. We hope that this advisory offers some clarity to those who may not have appreciated the attendant costs emanating from the $3.00 increase.”
They said given the current concerns nationally regarding crime and criminality and the inherent need for security services, they strongly recommend that prospective clients ensure that service providers being considered, be duly registered with the Ministry of National Security, are paying the minimum wage and must have Public Liability and Workmen’s Compensation Insurance as a bare minimum.
“Equally, we would like to advise prospective clients to ensure that they (the clients) have Public Liability insurance in effect. This is to mitigate any negatives that may occur in the event service providers are not in possession of the coverage which may have the tendency to leave the client badly circumstanced.”