Kalibur Security meets RDC 10 to resolve issues

The Regional Democratic Counci8l RDC Region Ten met with the senior management of Kalibur Security yesterday (Tuesday) as they sought to address several burning issues. The RDC was represented by its Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph, Regional Councilors Charles Sampson and Tracy Johnson, while Kalibur Security was represented by Managing Director George Gomes, its National Operations Manager Lennox Herbert and the company’s, Region Ten Operations Manager Lennox Higgins also attending the meeting were Labour Officer for Region Ten, Elize Benjamin, Senior Personnel Officer at the RDC Simone Johnson, officials of the CDC in Region Ten and Political Assistant within the Ministry of the Presidency, Rondell Backer.

In an almost two-hour-long meeting held in the Boardroom of the RDC Region Ten office both sides met with Backer performing the role of a mediator. At the conclusion of the meeting, RC Morian dubbed the meeting as being very successful noting that a number of issues were addressed with both sides coming to an agreed settlement. The Regional Chairman said that one of the agreements coming out of the meeting is that there would be quarterly meetings with the Regional Administration geared at ensuring that issues are addressed in a timely and professional manner. He urged the security company’s Managing Director to closely monitor his operations in Region Ten, noting that as the Regional Chairman his primary focus remains on the workers. “I am urging Kalibur Security to closely monitor their guards as we do not want a repeat of several of the issues that resulted in us having this meeting today. In negotiating the contract with the RDC there are some expectations that we would be looking for and would like to stress that we would be closely monitoring the operations here as ultimately the people of Region Ten cannot an will not be taken advantage of in any way,” the Regional Chairman said.
In a joint statement, they agreed that they would be guided by payments, settling disputes and hiring and terminating of staff. This, the Regional Chairman said is to ensure that the security guards can work in an environment that is safe, secured and free of unprofessional conduct. He added that also they will seek all matters dealing with the wellbeing and welfare of staff

Regional Chairman said that both sides agreed to have all issues settled, noting that during the meeting all matters were amicably addressed. He said that Managing Director of Kalibur Security, George Gomes expressed apologies to the Regional Administration, stating that he will ensure that a more robust monitoring system is in place to ensure that supervisors are doing what they are supposed to do. He said that his company doesn’t have a discrimination policy and dismissed views that they are exploiting female employees. “We are seeking to ensure that our women can earn and earn fairly so I would like to state that we at Kalibur don’t discriminate and I would like to assure all that we will be closely monitoring our employees including managers and supervisors so that they can deliver what we expect of then,” he said.

The RC stressed that a number of concerns that he and his RDC have were addressed stating that among one of the soar points was the dismissal of a former employee. Morain stressed that the woman concerns and issues were addressed in detail and he is pleased that it has all been resolved

Gomes in confirming that the issues were all addressed thanked the Regional Chairman and the RDC for sitting down with him and his team. He expressed apologies to the 300 Kalibur employees in Region Ten, declaring that his company is continuously looking for ways and means in enhancing the quality and level of service that they offer. He confirmed that workers within Kalibur can rest assure that a better relationship would be strengthened with them and his managers as he seeks to ensure that concerns and challenges that they are faced with are addressed.
“We had a very fruitful meeting earlier today (yesterday) with the RDC representatives and I can say that the discussions were somewhat detailed. We cane to very good decisions and I am about to say that we were able to resolve all the issues that caused the recent set of problems and we are going to move forward with good anticipation,” he said. The Managing Director noted that there will certainly be deep cooperation between the RDC and Kalibur security, adding that those working with the company would be proud of the company. “We value each worker that we have in each part of this country and we are equally moving in the same direction. We intend to execute our security mandate with great professionalism,” he assured.
MD Gomes went on t0 state that his company have some 2000 security guards in Guyana and this number will increase in 2020 as they continue to pursue a number of new security contracts, He stressed that with some 70 per cent of his security workforce in Region Ten being women it’s an indication of the fact that the company genuinely values women, thus the reason for the high number of women working with them. He admitted that there were some issues which he noted could have been dealt in a different manner by his team in Region Ten but declared that with an enhanced monitoring system this will certainly change. “We have established a system with the RDC whereby concerns and issues can be addressed to the RDC and for those who are not satisfied with the results they can then have their matters dealt with by the Labour department,” he said.
Regional Chairman Morian in endorsing the system said that he is very satisfied with the monitoring systems that Kalibur will be implemented, noting that at all times workers interest and welfare should be a top priority. He said that all Labour related laws and regulations should be followed as gone are the days when workers were dismissed wilily nilly without a fair hearing and or due process. “Our country has made significant strides within the Labour Ministry and as such, we cannot allow all of those strides and gains to be wasted so I am appealing to all concerned to ensure that we can continue the progress that the Ministry of Labour has been able to make,” he said.

Meanwhile, the female employee Deborah Barlow who was dismissed resulting in the RDC seeking to take action was reinstated today with MD Gomes promising that she will not suffer any loss in wages and benefits will be posted back to her original post. “I am happy to say that Ms Barlow who was dismissed by us will be reinstated immediately and will not suffer any loss in wages and or benefits, I would also like to extend apologies to her for any inconvenience that she would have endured,” he said. Barlow was dismissed almost two weeks ago.