On February 14, the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) achieved a temporary victory regarding its decision to set a minimum wage for private security guards at Ksh30,000 per month.
This was after the Employment and Labour Relations Court threw out a case that had been filed by private security companies.
Despite the win, PSRA noted that many private security guards do not enjoy good working conditions including remuneration as envisioned on the draft 2024 regulations under the Private Security Regulations 2016.
PSRA on Monday, February 19, reminded the security guards that there was an avenue for an independent redress mechanism which is provided for both the employer, employee and the user client.
“Promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms is the Authority’s commitment to making justice easily available to disgruntled private security officers who are not in a position to retain legal counsel,” PSRA noted.
According to PSRA, the disgruntlement could be about monetary claims.
As such, the Fazul Mahamed-led Authority remarked that this was one of the best ways for the security guards to pursue their claim against a private security provider through the avenue of a court of law.
PSRA announced that this avenue was also open for private security service providers disgruntled by clients who do not honour their contractual obligations.
The power to fight for the rights of security guards is enshrined in the Private Security Regulation Act.
“The Functions of the Authority shall be to protect the interests of the users of private security services by offering the users avenues to seek redress where there are violations of the law,” the Act reads in part.
PSRA is also empowered by the Act to provide and set standards that ensure compliance with the minimum wage regulations.
The Authority domiciled at the Ministry of Interior has vowed to ensure effective regulation and professional standards are adhered to in the industry including the Ksh30,000 minimum wage.
