Skill tags soon to decide security guards' wages

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment on Wednesday announced that soon there will be categories for security guards as 'skilled' or 'highly skilled' workers.

An armed security guard and security supervisor will be designated as 'highly skilled', entitling them to receive a minimum wage of Rs 25,000 per month, while a 'skilled' one will draw Rs 15,000 a month.

Minister of Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya said, "The government is pursuing labour reforms vigorously, which is part of the larger goal to link some of the key flagship programmes, like Skill India, Make in India and Start-up India."

Dattatreya was addressing the annual Private Security Industry Conclave 2016, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here.

The much awaited move by the Narendra Modi government is expected to bring enhanced wages to over 50 lakh security personnel currently engaged in the private security space.

It would also provide social security cover to over 2.5 crore of their family members, an official release said.

The decision would enable private security agencies to recruit, train and employ quality workforce for the sector, that has several stakeholders -- security agencies, corporations, and the public, it said.

As part of the simplification exercise, the codification and amalgamation of 44 central labour laws into four codes will be referred to the Union Cabinet shortly.

The minister also expressed hope that a Bill to this effect will be introduced in the next session of Parliament for approval.

The four codes would relate to -- wages, industrial relations, social security, and working conditions and health and safety.

--IANS

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