Jeddah: The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said that security guards should not be made to work for five consecutive hours. Minister Ahmad Bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi has ordered the conditions to be followed in this field of work including this. The Ministry has laid down the conditions to be followed by security guard firms and their companies in the private sector. This applies to all establishments directly or indirectly employing security guards.
According to this order, security guard jobs are divided into three categories. One is security work inside banks and commercial complexes. The second is security outside the buildings. Guarding of buildings and villages under construction.
The main requirement is not to work for five consecutive hours without rest, prayer and food. A break of not less than half an hour should be allowed during this time. Security guards must be provided with uniforms by the establishment. Organizations should follow the procedures manual for occupational safety and health to prevent the effects of exposure to sunlight and heat.
The terms also stipulate a set of physical equipment to be provided by the owner of the establishment. The new decisions will help to improve the quality of work in the security guard sector and increase the productivity of its employees. This will help attract people to security jobs and increase the stability of the workforce.
The Ministry has asked the private sector entities to whom the decision applies to comply with the requirements contained therein.
The decision should be implemented within 180 days from the date of publication of the decision on the Ministry’s website. The HRD Ministry has stated that it will take all necessary steps to ensure compliance and fines will be imposed on institutions that violate the terms.
Photo: security guards