By Nasratu Kargbo
More than 200 guards working for the Hughes Security Agency have cried for help after going for six months without salary from their employers.
Expressing frustration, Alusine K. Kabba, one of the aggrieved guards said he has not received pay for sixteen months. He told Politico that they have suffered greatly and that some of his colleagues are sick, others are dead, whilst some could not continue their studies because they depended on their salaries to pay their fees. He added that they are vulnerable, noting that they do not have the money or the strength to fight the institution.
When asked why continue to work for that long even with no pay, Kabba said that the agency kept promising to pay them, and explained how they have gone to the police on several occasions, but that the move was not fruitful. He added that they have visited the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and were promised that the matter will be taken to court but said nothing has so far been done to address the unfortunate situation they found themselves in.
Another victim Fatmata Conteh explained her suffering, stating that she has three school-going children to take care of and that she depends on her salary to do so.
A tearful Conteh said this has affected her and explained how she struggled for finances to take care of her mother’s burial rites a few months ago.
On why she continued to work when she has not been paid for over a year, the woman admitted she feared dismissal and possible forfeiture of the money she said she has worked so hard for.
Politico contacted the Chief of Operations at Hughes Security Agency Charles Jamiru who admitted the agency has to pay the guards, stating that their concerns are genuine. He confirmed that the guards have not received their salaries since November 2020.
Jamiru explained that they have a two year contract with Sierratel, noting that they had thought the contract was an attractive one, considering the type of institution. He said Sierratel has owed them for over sixteen months and that has led to them not being able to pay the guards. However, they continue to be deployed at the station.
He explained that they normally pay the guards after the clients have forwarded payment for their services, and in this situation, Sierratel has not paid. Jamiru explained that at some point they had to pay the guards after Sierratel assured them of payment. He said it would be unfair to use monies paid by other clients to pay those affected guards leaving their other colleagues.
Explaining the challenges, Jamiru mentioned that he has been embarrassed and threatened on several occasions by the aggrieved guards, stating that some guards stormed their office which caused them to close for a while.
He said the agency terminating the contract is not a wise option, because they do not want to forfeit the money.
The Chief Operations Officer said he heard that Sierratel is currently under transition and that the new administration will take care of the issue, adding that he was told that the payment will be done around March this year.
Information Officer at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Aminata Phidelia Allie confirmed that the matter has been reported to them and that the “investigation is ongoing.” She said the workers should be a bit patient, noting that the process takes time.
She advised that they keep close contact with the labour officer handling their matter and that if at any time they feel the officer is dragging feet, they can visit the Commissioner of Labour to inform him about that.
The other guards deployed at other institutions continue to receive their pay while those attached to Sierratel continue service without pay for as long as the company decides to pay their employers.
Politico visited the Sierratel Headquarters for their response but was refered to the Human Resource Manager, who was said to be sick.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (25/02/22)
