‘Pak Guard’ a noble profession in need of its glory restored – Vilbert Raj

FOR far too long, the job of a security guard has been treated as an “if all else fails” path. 

Becoming a security guard is perceived to be an unglamorous, unattractive or last-resort option. In Malaysia, these guards are also referred to as “pak guard”.

Don’t get me wrong – there are many passionate individuals in the industry who are doing an excellent job, and I applaud them. Even with the Covid-19 pandemic, our guards have been working on the front line fearlessly, keeping our neighbourhoods and properties safe.

But it has always intrigued me that many don’t see this as a fulfilling career path.

Shouldn’t the glorious task of keeping our country, and its people and assets safe and secure be given the recognition it deserves?

Physical guarding should be seen as a profession with career development, rather than a dead-end job. After all, it is a noble job to keep us safe.

It’s clear that this industry needs to rebrand and revamp itself, to attract more locals. Especially now, with the unemployment rate increasing due to the pandemic.

But where should we start? Before we dive in to answer that, let’s look at what could be holding us back.

Vicious cycle of cost-cutting

Clients choosing a security service provider would negotiate and pick the lowest possible offer. 

And, to gain new clients in this competitive industry, many security companies resort to cost-saving methods, such as paying their security guards below what’s required.

Statutory contributions, such as EPF (Employees Provident Fund) and Socso (Social Security Organisation), are also often not made. Training and supervision are neglected to preserve what little profit margin they have.

This results in guards lacking basic knowledge for the job, with salaries that barely meet the cost of living, which is rising. Good performers are not rewarded and incentivised, leading to unmotivated guards and high staff turnover.

As a result, clients are left with poor service. This would justify the low price they pay to security companies, while leaving the impression that the entire industry is operating within those low standards. 

The above situations reflect a vicious cycle involving clients who resort to lower prices, security companies that cut costs to gain new clients, and staff who are untrained and unmotivated.

Clients risk getting poor service, while security firms operate at low prices, and staff get reduced salaries and training.

Escaping cycle, restoring much-needed glory

Cost reduction is necessary, and every business should give it importance – even more so now, with the pandemic creating a very difficult environment for all.

However, the reduction should not be at the expense of staff salaries and the quality of service. Rather, it should be through innovative and creative ways of implementing a good security system.

Security companies should innovate and deliver solutions that incorporate manpower, technology and better processes. This will create better jobs, and a better working environment for staff. The responsibilities will also not be mundane and routine.

A career progression pathway should be created for guards to earn higher basic wages. This creates a culture where good performers are rewarded and promoted. It will also attract and retain talent.

Security companies stand to benefit from a more productive, experienced and skilled workforce. Clients, in turn, benefit from quality service.

Clients, too, should increase their expectations and be more demanding of the level of service rendered. After all, it is them and their properties that need to be safeguarded.

When selecting a security service provider, attributes such as the use of technology and other methods to achieve a desired outcome should weigh more than the price. Clients can also implement a reward system to incentivise security companies that exceed performance standards.

Clients should be mindful of the required minimum wages, and check if the price paid is sufficient to cover guards’ salaries, plus margins for the service provider to operate efficiently. 

Closing an eye to the underpaying of wages by security companies, thinking it saves money, could lead to costly incidents arising from poor security. This would be far more damaging to the wallet.

Keeping our nation safe and secure should be prioritised, and cutting corners should not be an option. With these few steps, taken together, we can break this cycle and transform the security industry, restoring its much-deserved glory. – The Vibes, February 13, 2021

Vilbert Raj is executive director of security company Black Gold Security Sdn Bhd and member of Asis International, a global organisation for security practitioners