WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Maria Nita is calling on the government to clarify working conditions in Curaçao’s private security sector following reports and complaints involving late or insufficient wage payments, unpaid overtime, missing employment contracts and inadequate safety equipment.
Nita has submitted ten written questions to Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) Charetti America-Francisca, seeking information about government oversight of private security companies and the protection of their employees.
According to Nita, security guards frequently work in situations involving increased risks, making proper working conditions, training and protective measures particularly important. She said, however, that there are indications that employees in the sector do not always receive the wages, benefits and protections to which they are entitled under labor legislation.
The parliamentary questions do not specify how many security guards or companies may be affected by the alleged problems.
Nita wants the minister to identify which government agencies are responsible for licensing, inspecting and supervising private security companies. She is also requesting figures on the number of inspections, checks and official investigations carried out within the sector during the past three years and the violations, if any, that were discovered.
Another focus is complaints filed by security guards themselves. Nita wants to know whether SOAW has records of complaints concerning wage payments, unpaid overtime, the absence of written employment contracts or other potential violations of workers’ rights.
She is asking the government to explain how such complaints are handled and what sanctions can be imposed on security companies found to be violating labor regulations.
The capacity of government inspectors is also being questioned. Nita wants America-Francisca to indicate whether authorities currently have sufficient personnel, expertise and resources to effectively monitor the private security industry.
Safety is another major concern. The MP is seeking clarification on the minimum requirements that security companies must meet regarding protective equipment, communication devices, training and other resources provided to employees.
Security guards can be confronted with robberies, violence and other dangerous situations while protecting businesses, institutions and private property, making adequate preparation and equipment an important part of workplace safety.
Nita also wants the government to assess whether Curaçao’s existing rules governing private security companies need to be updated to provide stronger protection for employees and further professionalize the industry.
The MP is ultimately asking the SOAW minister to outline what measures the government intends to take to ensure security companies comply with labor legislation, social obligations and workplace safety requirements.