JEDDAH, 18 December 2003 — Security guards are up in arms about the long hours, low pay and unexplained deductions from their salaries. They are being required to work longer hours than agreed without any incentives being given.
Most of the guards do not have a secondary school certificate and only took the job in security industry because there was nothing else on offer. Their salaries — from SR1,500 to SR1,800 a month — are low in the environment of high living expenses.
As well as improvements in salary and conditions, the guards are asking for improved benefits.
“It was the only job available to me and I had to take it,” said Abdullah Ali, who is one of the few high school graduates in the industry.
The salary is SR1,500 and for that he works eight hours a day. He is not allowed to have a day off during the week and there is no emergency leave. If he were absent for a day, his employer would reduce his pay without asking for or accepting any explanation.
There is a high turnover of staff in the company as people move on to better prospects. “I am not going to stay here for ever,” he said. “Sooner or later I will find a better job.”
Another guard said that his SR1,500 salary was simply not enough to pay his bills and he is usually broke in the first week after receiving his pay. Guards who work with him have a second job and can afford to take care of their families. “We are living in terrible conditions,” he said. “No vacations, no decent salary and no incentives.”
Recently, this guard went to Abha, where he had to care for his father who underwent major surgery. Money was deducted from his salary without any inquiry or consideration. “I wonder if this is the way to treat employees?” he asked.
