Security guards demand pay hike, cite high cost of living

Security guards want a review of their minimum monthly wage due to the high cost of living occasioned by the ever-increasing cost of fuel.

Instead, the workers through the Kenya National Private Security Workers Union (KNSWU) General Secretary Isaac Andabwa (pictured) now wants President William Ruto to set a minimum living wage.
He said that the minimum living wage should replace the current minimum wage, adding that it is unfortunate that mostt of the lowly-paid workers cannot afford goods and services because what they get is ‘mockery’.

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Speaking in Nairobi, Andabwa said the government has a culture of politicizing minimum wages that are not implemented or do not reach the pockets of the workers.

“The 2018 minimum wage has never been implemented five years down the line. What we are asking is what was awarded to the workers which will be beneficial to workers who are currently surviving since they cannot afford the current cost of living,” said Andabwa.

He said most workers feel neglected by the government, which is not interested in helping them anymore.

“We are requesting the President to order payment of the arrears since the workers have now lost a sense of belonging in this country and cannot afford two meals a day,” Andabwa said.

According to Andabwa, low income especially amongst the lowest cadre of people in the society is part of the causes of mental health.