Security guards receive RM240 after staging protest

KOTA BARU: A day after school guards in Machang took to the streets to air their grievances over unpaid wages, their employer paid them RM240 each.

The security services company promised to start paying the guards in stages beginning yesterday. The amount, however, was far from enough for them to even settle their house rent. The guards claimed that the payment they received was only about 10% of the amount due to them.

“Our average salary is about RM1,500. The company owes us about one-and-a-half months’ wages,” said Mohd Mahyidin Mahmud, 44, and added that 50 guards stationed in eight schools in Machang received the payment.

On Sunday, some 50 guards staged a peaceful protest outside the Machang District Education Office building and outside SK Zainab 1 over the matter. The guards claimed that they were last paid half a month’s salary in August.

Another guard, Fadly Miswan, 36, said the amount was not enough to even settle his RM450 house rental.

“I fear losing the house, because I have eight people who are dependent on me,” he said.

Another guard, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed the company did not make any contribution to the Employees Providence Fund although about RM50 was deducted from their monthly salary.

“Non-payment of wages is widespread in many schools and government premises where the contractors are known to oppress the contract workers. Even the cleaners are in a similar predicament,” said Parti Sosialis Malaysia workers’ bureau chief M. Sivaranjani.