The Employment Ministry is currently investigating complaints lodged against four security companies for non-payment of wages and overtime pay for their workers.
Minister responsible, Jone Usamate says during labour inspections they found out that most of the security companies are not paying security officers their rightful wages under the wages regulations.
He says due to the non-compliance by the four security companies, the government has not approved of their operations through the non-issuing of security master license under the security industry act 2010 enforced by the Ministry of Defence and National Security.
He says all security companies are to pay the minimum rates of $2.68 per hour for all security officers including their meal allowance and overtime payment.
Usamate says they have received reports from the labour standards and compliance service of the ministry on the increased in non-compliance of security companies.
He has reiterated that under the employment relations act 2007 any employer who commits and fails to pay the wages due will be taken to task and is liable to pay a fine not exceeding $20,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.
