The pain of Security Guard

It was 5 AM when I and my event team was in Cubbon Park, Bengaluru to organize an event for a multinational company.

Unfortunately all the approach roads to the event ground was closed due to Sunday. With no option left we all four team members started shifting event material to the ground which was approximately 500 meters from the Parking.

We had also hired 6 security guards for the event. I requested hands in shifting materials and happily those guards helped in.

After the event, we were left with lot of food packets, which I shared with security guards. One of six was trying to take selfi with the food packet. With anxiety, I approached him and asked should I click for you and happily he said yes. Here I started conversation with Ramesh.

Ramesh hails from a small village of Jharkhand state. He passed out graduation and due to poor financial conditions of his family he decided to join Security services as he was not having any technical qualifications.

 The job of a security guard may look simple to the average observer who sees only someone in a uniform at the residential complexes, commercial towers and many other installations.

Ramesh was working in some security firms for 12-hours job, 365 days a year.

Do you enjoy your job?

I have no option.

What is your biggest challenge in this job?

Everyday combating tiredness and loneliness and on top of that, I encounter rudeness from some people who give me a hard time when certain situations call for matters to be sorted out. At time people use abusive languages and give looks with resentment & aversion.  

Ramesh asked me a question. What I would have done in the situation narrated by him as under.

“I was working as security guard in one of the renowned condominiums. One lady came to security desk of the tower and started screaming on me saying as I don’t know my job and I am useless. I could not reacting to the situation and felt humiliated. She further instructed me to send away one stray Dog which use to always roam inside the premises.

I never had the courage to deny her instructions and pushed the Dog away from the premises through gate.

After an hour, other lady resident of the condominium came and blasted me, as how dare I pushed that stray dog out of the premises. She called Police and shown CCTV coverage me pushing the Dog out the gate. I was put behind the bar for the reason not understood by me. As per police I was alleged with some criminal charges. NO one came to rescue me including my employer.

I could see Ramesh crying and further he could not speak.

I was speechless. I offered him a bottle of water.

Ramesh, I know you went through hell but still I can see you in security uniform. How?

Sir, I have an aged parents and two sisters younger to me. I want my sisters to study and be able to stand on their own feet and be respected in society. This keeps me motivated as I send monthly remittance to my parents to keep them sheltered, clothed and fed.

How much do you earn in a month?

Rs.11,500/- to Rs.15,500/- if I get overtime (Double duty).

How can you work for 24 hours?

As I help my parents and it feels good to know that they are happy in village and also my both the sisters are going to school.He said, this makes me work harder.

What do you miss about home?

Every day, I wish I could go back to my home.There’s no replacement to home. I miss my village, my neighbor’s and my childhood friends. But I can’t.

My last question to Ramesh. Why you wanted a picture with food box?

He smiled, I wanted to send it to my parents saying I am happy here and today I ordered food from restaurant for a change. I know they would love this.

I had no words and hugged him.

Bad treatment is nothing new to guards. Most of them don’t dare to complain for fear of losing jobs, which hardly bring them a decent pay despite doing double shifts. Even that measly sum is not paid on time.

The RWA (Residential welfare Association) was responsible for taking the decision regarding stray dog which they failed.

Why stray dog issue did not come, while carrying out site survey by the security agency or taking over of the site.

It was a total failure of RWA, residential account manager and Security Company (not the guard).  

               Deduction:

               a) Improper site survey.

               b) Unprofessional approach of the agency.

               c) Lack of training to guards.

               d) Duties and responsibilities of guard not specified.

               e) Poor supervisory staff at the site.

               f) Action plan to handle such cases not specified by the agency.

               g) Employee welfare policy not being followed.

               h) OT ( Labour law not being followed/ no double wages) even if double wages are paid, a worker cannot work over time more than stipulated hours as mentioned in Act.

               i) No reliever (Labour law not complied)

The slack implementation of the Private Security Regulation Act for the plight of security employees affects badly. Security agencies have mushroomed in the absence of any regulatory mechanism and only some licensed/ compliant ones around.

The unhealthy price competition among agencies coupled with clients demand for cheaper service and invariably reflects in low pay for security employees and non-compliance.