Govt Orders Security Companies To Stop Deducting These Fees For Security Guards

The Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) has directed all Private Security Firms to immediately stop the deductions and remittances of security guards’ monthly trade union fee contributions to the Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) - Kenya. 

In a statement on Monday, April 15, PSRA led by Director-General Fazul Mahamed revealed that despite their low salaries and non-representation by COTU, Private Security Guards have faithfully contributed monthly trade union fees ranging from Ksh150 to Kshs600 to the union for decades.

Notably, private security officers constitute a large percentage of COTU's membership.

PSRA Director General Fazul Mahamed during a meeting on April 8, 2024. /PRIVATE SECURITY REGULATORY AUTHORITY

"For years, private security companies have consistently deducted trade union fees from private security guards and subsequently remitted the said contributions to the Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU - Kenya," stated PSRA in part.

"Regrettably, notwithstanding their significant financial contributions, COTU has not lived up to its mandate and has persistently disregarded, declined, and/or neglected to advocate for their rights, advocate for compliance with minimum wage and promote the general welfare of private security guards."

Section 9 (k) of the Act mandates PSRA to promote the protection and enforcement of the rights and welfare of private security officers (security guards).

PSRA added that the action comes in response to security guards’ complaints about fund utilization and their welfare not being addressed by COTU.

The Authority is actively investigating COTU’s handling of security guards’ contributions in the form of monthly trade union fees preliminary estimated at billions of shillings.

“Pending conclusion of the investigation, all private security companies are hereby directed to effective immediately stop deducting and remitting private security officers' trade union fees to the Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU - Kenya.

"This directive shall remain in force until such a time the Authority expressly directs otherwise,” Mahamed ordered in a letter dated April 15.

He warned that private security companies that continue to deduct and remit the said fees to COTU would be subjected to a statutory review of its registration and licensing status.

"PSRA is fully committed to regulatory standards that ensure security guards’ rights and welfare are protected," added the authority.

The Private Security Regulatory Authority is a Government Agency established under Section 7 of the Private Security Regulation Act No. 13 of 2016 and is charged with the responsibility of regulating the Private Security Industry by the Act and the values and principles set out in the Constitution. Section 9 (k) of the Act mandates the Authority to promote the protection and enforcement of the rights and welfare of private security officers (security guards). 

In the last few months, PSRA and COTU have not been reading from the same script with COTU accusing the Authority of being the greatest impediment to the enhancement of the rights and welfare of private security guards.

In February, PSRA issued a notice, calling for a new minimum wage of Ksh30,000 per guard, which did not sit well with some private security firms.

A fortnight ago, the authority said it would direct private security officers not to contribute finances to COTU until the union starts advocating for the rights, payment of minimum wage, and improved welfare of the guards.

COTU, led by Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, was yet to respond to PSRA's statement and letter by the time of publishing this article.

COTU boss, Francis Atwoli. /FILE