Who will protect Manzini’s protectors?
MBA BAN E–Protecting and patrolling the streets of the country’s busiest and crime ridden city, in the midst of violent riots, has presented a formidable challenge for the foot soldiers of Global Protection Services.
The security fir m contracted by the Municipal Council of Manzini this year, has been serving since the beginning of June. Even at the sunset of their probation, some have already decried the conditions they work under, and have been agitated.
However, management said it had noted that there were certain staff members who failed to comply with their duties and their employment was subsequently terminated, after which they were disgruntled and started sowing seeds of discord among staff members.
SMILES
The first pay day of the staff, which was end of June 2021, brought smiles and heartache for some staff members who had questions. One staff member said the company had not provided any payslips to workers which, to her, was the first sign that something was not right.
“When we were hired, we were informed to submit our bank accounts, which we did. When pay day came, the salary was just deposited into our bank accounts without anyone being able to determine the gross pay and deductions. No one knew how the net pay was arrived at,” said the workers who asked not to be named for ethical reasons.
The workers also alleged that uniformly, E500 was deducted from their salaries for training, which made them wonder why they were made to foot such high training costs, as it was more like an induction, to them.
“We know the E500 was deducted because we calculated it from the salaries that we expected to earn. When we discused salaries, we also discovered that we are not being paid similar amounts, as others are paid more than others, and we don’t know the reason. For example, you will find that some earn E900, yet some earn E1 200 at the end of the month. Noting that we all started working for the company on the same day,” they said.
Another employee alleged that a certain supervisor was asking for sexual favours, but when denied such, he would resort to victimising the employee.
“For instance he would harshly rebuke the employee and further assign her to work in harsh conditions that are not conducive for a woman,” she alleged.
Asked why they had not reported the concerns to management, the staff said they felt it was still too early because they were on probation.
GPS Eswatini Manager David Nyathi said he suspected the people behind the grievances were those whose employment was terminated because they failed to comply with the duties expected of them within the probation period.
LACK
Nyathi said the lack of payslips was a result of the non- availability of internet during the period in which the salaries were due to be released.
“We opted not to frustrate the workers by withholding salaries just because there were no payslips. We paid them dully, the rightful salaries they were each supposed to get, and since the internet was restored we are working on the payslips issue,” he said.
Nyathi said the E500 deduction for training was being
made in terms and the staff was informed prior about it and agreed.
“During the training they received certificates which they can use even after leaving our company. It is a qualification that belongs to them, which is why it had to be paid for. Besides, there were costs involved in the training. The money went to cover those costs,” he said.
Nyathi said the disparities in the salaries was caused by several factors including, the number of days worked and the tasks assigned and agreements entered into between employer and employee.
“Others, in a quest to make more money, usually request to work overtime and not to take off days. This then results in them earning more money over others,” he said.
On the allegations of sexual harassment, he said nothing of that sort was reported to the office.
FALSEHOODS
“I think that is part of falsehoods peddled by former employees who are still bitter that we had to let them go,” he said.
Nyathi said his office was open for any concerns, and further encouraged the staff that they would not be victimised if they came forward to seek clarity or to report suspicions of malpractice. The security company took over from Kwekwe Security whose contract ended this year.
Its responsibility includes proactively dealing with potential crime, preventing illegal business and being the run- to people when one feels threatened. It basically implements the regulations of the Municipal Council of Manzini which are against public nuisance, abatement, removal of stray dogs and cattle etc.