KNPSWU issued an ultimatum 21- day strike notice to government

By Ann Nyambura

KNPSWU has issued an ultimatum 21- day strike notice to government for poor salaries of the guards: demands a minimum of 30,000 per guard.

In a bid to address growing concerns and discrepancies within the private security sector in Kenya, the Kenya National Private Security Workers’ Union (KNPSWU) convened its shop stewards at Under The Radar Hotel in Nairobi on Friday, June 7, 2024.

The meeting, attended by representatives from across the country, aimed to tackle pressing issues affecting the welfare and rights of private security workers amidst recent public exchanges between the Ministry of Interior and COTU(K).

At the heart of the discussions was the dispute over the alleged financial contributions from private security workers to COTU(K), as claimed by the Ministry of Interior.

KNPSWU vehemently refuted these assertions, emphasizing that while the union represents a substantial portion of the 1.3 million private security workers in Kenya, not all workers are affiliated with KNPSWU or COTU(K).

The union clarified that its contributions to COTU(K) are significantly lower than the figures presented by the Ministry of Interior, calling the claims false, non-factual, and misleading.

Another contentious issue raised during the meeting was the mandatory deduction of Ksh8000 per guard by the Ministry of Interior for training and issuance of guard force numbers. KNPSWU shop stewards questioned the transparency and necessity of these deductions, highlighting the financial strain they place on low-income workers.

There were demands for accountability regarding the utilization of these funds and calls for an end to practices that burden private security officers, many of whom already struggle to make ends meet on meager wages.

Furthermore, KNPSWU called upon the government to harmonize its governance directives between the Ministry of Labour and Interior to prevent conflicting policies that adversely affect the private security industry.

The union stressed the importance of cohesive and consistent regulatory frameworks to ensure the protection of workers’ rights and promote industry stability.

In a show of solidarity with private security workers, KNPSWU shop stewards unequivocally opposed the casualization of workers, labeling it as regressive and detrimental to workers’ welfare.

They emphasized the need for secure and stable employment opportunities that provide workers with dignity, security, and fair compensation.

Amidst mounting frustrations and grievances, KNPSWU issued an ultimatum to the government, threatening to initiate a 21-day strike notice if clear measures were not outlined to enforce a minimum wage of Ksh30,000 for guards, starting with Nairobi County.

Additionally, the union vowed to resist any attempts by the government to further casualize employment within the private security sector.

The KNPSWU shop stewards concluded the meeting with a renewed commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of private security workers across Kenya.

They called for meaningful dialogue and cooperation between stakeholders to address the pressing issues facing the industry and ensure a fair and equitable working environment for all workers involved.