May 1993 – 2008.Pilgrims Security Ltd – 15 Years On -. Always going that little further… |02 June 2008
“The prevailing business climate is testing to say the least. The recent increase in cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, electricity and services in general have all sky rocketed. A clear head coupled with calculated boldness is what will keep business going,” the firm’s managing director Roy Fonseka said. He added, “In the midst of these turbulent times, Pilgrims Security strongly believes that the need to continue to invest in its workforce as the key
He noted that the fact that the company, which was launched in 1993 with only a dozen personnel but now has over 100 and in the need of more, is testimony that they are keeping ahead in the security industry .
“Over the years we have seen the need to broaden our services to include technical security. Alarm Installation and CCTV have been the main technical tools run from our 24hr Central Monitoring Station coupled with a Mobile Quick Response Service. This technical advancement continues with a keen team of technicians whose tasks are to keep abreast of modern communications link that are continuously being developed” he said, adding that as a result of today’s ongoing global security threat, the security industry across the world have spent millions in research and development and all that benefits the market in reduced product costs.
“Working alongside and in support of the technical service is our guard force. Human resources or more aptly the lack of it is the most challenging area for any service industry. The existing problems have been echoed so often in the business circle,” Mr Fonseka said.
Asked how the company tackles this issue, the director said, “The simple answer is head on.
Training, training, continuous training alongside good work conditions and incentive,” and announced the new salary structure for Pilgrims’ staff.
“Holding each and everyone responsible for their task cannot be compromised. Of course most important is working top down ie from the most senior to the junior and not the other way round. I make this point as the notion of owning responsibility is a culture that has yet to be developed across the board,” he said.
Pilgrims revises staff salaries again
The minimum salary for the lowest rank at Pilgrims Security Ltd is R2,800, the company’s managing director Roy Fonseka announced when he presented a new package for staff at all levels as the firm celebrated 15 years of successful existence.
“Our basic entry point of R2,800 gives us a wider choice of suitable candidates,” he said, explaining that after successful probation and good performance, the security personnel move on to the next rank which attracts R3,000 and then to Junior Commander posts in which the salary progresses to R3,500, while Commanders get up to R4,000. Senior Commanders, Supervisors earn above R4,000,” he said.
He added that whilst this brings up the bottom level, we have always revised salaries annually rewarding those who work hard based purely on merit and most of the senior staff are now in line with what is considered top national salaries.
“Many are calling for higher wages as a simple solution in meeting the present high cost of living. This is only possible by streamlining, increased productivity, maintaining service standards. Automatically that results in having the ability to give higher wages. But one cannot put the cart before the horse,” he said, explaining that the process entails paying more to those who deliver better rather than having several people doing work that one person can do.
Well-paying part-time jobs at Pilgrims Security
Pilgrims Security Ltd is offering people in other jobs a chance to earn up to R2,800 as members of a “Reserve Team” of security officers.
“The new law allowing a second job is good and should be encouraged within and without a business,” Pilgrims’ managing director Roy Fonseka said on Friday.
“We in Pilgrims Security have introduced a concept of a Reserve Security Team whereby after having received free training, a person can have a second job. After completing a maximum of three shifts per week, he stands to earn R2,800 as an extra salary,” he said
Asked if he rated Pilgrims Security as the leading security company in Seychelles, Mr Fonseka answered, “This is a matter that you will have to find from our customers.”
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