Security guards deserve better pay

We often come across security guards standing at the gates of government and private office buildings as well as residential ones. But their life does not seem to be much cheerful. They have to work for longer shifts but are hugely underpaid. A recent survey reveals that all security guards deployed in Dhaka city at a 12-hour shift receive a meagre salary of more or less Tk 15,000 with no social security or medical leaves. And those who work for 8-hour shift do not get more than Tk 10,000. The security guards, who work at residential buildings, earn the same amount of money for working an almost 24-hour shift per day. They can sleep only three to four hours a day.
The guards provide security to people and their valuables. It is impossible for a person to work a 12 to16-hour shift. Such a practice cannot continue in a civilized society. So, we urge the authorities concerned to increase their salaries and shorten their working hours.

Afroza Sheikh,
Dania, Dhaka,
[email protected]