Douala: G4S Security company staff disagree on strike action as in-house staff pressure management for holiday bonuses

By Tata Mbunwe

Workers of G4S Company, specialized in providing security services in Douala, have disagreed over an ongoing strike action put forth by the company’s administrative staff over unpaid holiday bonuses.

The regular security workers, who constitute the company’s frontline staff, have refused to join the strike action against beckoning calls by other staff.

Administrative staff went on strike on December 21 after the company’s new Board Chair decided to give holiday bonuses only to frontline staff, including security guards and Commandos, for their sacrificial services to the company.

“On December 15, 2020, the Bonus Pay list was supposed to be endorsed to the various banks partnering with G4S but the greedy Administrative Staff launched a strike action on Monday, 21st December, demanding their own end-of-year bonuses. So our has been halted till today but the Board Chairman has authoritatively insisted to give bonuses only to the frontline operation units,” one of the frontline staff said on the basis of anonymity.

The worker said they (frontline staff) have refused to join the strike action of their fellow employees who, despite their high pay packages, are still demanding bonuses.

G4S Security Company had a new Board Chair recently who has been sympathetic towards the company’s frontline workers, who are sacrificing more for the company but earning meager salaries of FCFA 50,000 or 90,000.

The new Board said he will compensate these selfless staff for their commitment by granting them the end of year bonuses.
This move has not been welcomed by other staff, mostly administrative staff, who are not benefiting from these bonuses.

According to a worker of G4S Security, the Company has, over the years, grappled with poor leadership under former Managing Director, Biyiwoh Joseph, who was reportedly sacked for the new Board Chair to be appointed.

Amid the ongoing strike action by some of its workers, the G4S Board Chair is currently holding “a series of meetings” the administration and Government administrators like the Divisional Officer and other labor personnel, the company’s worker has said.

“The administrative staff equally are advising the Frontline Operation Units to join them in a strike Action but we are not fools. Those that ate alone, let them fight alone,” the worker added on the basis of anonymity.

According to him, they (frontline staff of G4S Company) “are behind” the new Board Chair because he has recognized their sufferings and sacrifice for the company.