CAPSI seeks PM's intervention over job losses of security guards

Agencies providing security guards are increasingly being "asked to withdraw" most of its' personnel from establishments like shopping malls and hotels after authorities' orders to close them in the wake of spread of COVID-19, prompting the sector to approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking relief.

The Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) has shot off a letter to Modi saying that it would be "unethical/illegal" to temporarily lay off their employees on their part, as it could end up in "tremendous amount of restlessness" and frustration that can even lead to disturbed law and order problems.

In the letter, CAPSI Kunwar Vikram Singh said closure of malls, showrooms, theatres and hotels among other establishments have led to a situation where the clients are asking them to remove all security guards but one from their locations. They have also made it clear that they will only pay for the drastically reduced strength, he said.

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"Now what happens to others? Where do the other guards go? Who pays them their salaries for this period. Obviously, the already beleaguered private security industry now will have to pay nearly 70% of its workforce without getting paid for by the clients for the duration till normalcy returns," he said.

Emphasising that Covid-19 is having an adverse impact on this sector with a "much greater intensity and ferocity", he said any lay-off would lead to "catastrophic" effect on these unfortunately placed Private security guards and their families.

"We seek your intervention to save lakhs of chowkidars and 23,000 security entrepreneurs from this disastrous situation. The ESI , Provident Fund and GST departments may be asked to defer their tax collection date by giving adequate time so that guards can be paid wages to take care of their families," Singh said, claiming that they were the largest employment providing sector.

In a separate statement, Singh said, "if immediate decision is not taken that entire PSI will collapse causing huge unrest among the security guards and closure of thousand of Private Security Agencies which are already suffering due to GST."

He said the securiry guards are working day and night without caring for their own health challenges. "They can play an important role in controlling the spread of Covid-19 by checking the body temperature of visitors and residents of gated colonies all over india. The suspected persons can be segregated and authorities informed by security supervisors. This action can help in mass control of the spread," he said.

Appealing to the Prime Minister to have the sector declared as 'essential services' under such an emergency conditions, Singh also said the government could also utilise the services of private security guards and pay for the services rendered.