Leaders must act to end modern day slavery
Mmegi Editor | Tuesday March 21, 2017 11:10
In particular parliamentarians were referring to security guards, waiters and shop assistants who earn what could be best described as slave wages of about P1,000 per month or less and work seven days a week.
Of course the welfare of security guards has dominated public forums for a long time and at some point, the then Minister of Defence, Justice and Security threatened to revoke licences of those companies that were found to be abusive toward their staff.
Almost five years ago, it was found that security companies employ guards and immediately deploy them to work stations or posts without any training, or any official document to confirm their employment.
They would later hit a U-turn when they are supposed to pay their wages, claiming that they had not employed the said individuals.
Some of these security companies continue this practice with impunity. In some cases, employees are subjected to deplorable working conditions where a security guard could be sent to a location that has no shelter or accessible ablutions for their use despite the fact that they are expected to spend the eight to 12-hour shift at their post.
At times these employers fail to provide their employees with uniforms. We therefore echo the MPs’ concerns and request the minister to look closely into this matter.
He should ensure that security companies provide shelter and sanitation for their employees, and that there are employment contracts in place for each individual.
Shop assistants and waiters fall under this category of abused employees who sometimes work from seven in the morning to 10pm. Some of them are not provided with transport to their homes and some women have been violated or raped on their way home.
They are expected to go to hiking spots to travel to villages such as Ramotswa, Mochudi, Molepolole, Thamaga, and other areas in the vicinity of city where public transport can be scarce. They find themselves having to walk for more than five kilometres at night, only to sleep for a few hours before having to wake and return to work.
We implore the ministry to conduct regular inspections and surveys on the conditions of service for the aforesaid cadre of employees.
Of course factory workers and others are going through the same or even worse forms of abuse, and these can only be defeated by a determined political leadership.
Not only that, more cadres falling within this often vulnerable scope of employment need to be identified so that none are left behind when more is done to protect their interests and preserve their dignity.
Most of these employees do not have any social benefits except a wage that is not always guaranteed. The minister must provide leadership and eradicate modern slavery practices that have become a feature on the landscape of our labour force.
Today’s thought
“Dignify and glorify common labour. It is at the bottom of life that we must begin, not at the top.”
– Booker T. Washington