THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has condemned security companies for defrauding workers out of their medical insurance benefits.
This after the Council for Medical Schemes said it was investigating cases where security companies deducted funds from workers for the medical insurance, but failed to pay it over to Affinity Health – the service provider.
Numsa said the medical aid benefit, together with other benefits and allowances, were part of the collective agreement that these companies were subject to.
The union said the collective agreement in the security sector was signed in 2020, and had been extended to parties and all non-parties as well.
“The National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS) approved the health insurance benefits scheme for the sector following the signing of the collective bargaining agreement with employers and unions.
“Therefore, there is no excuse why workers have not had their medical aid contributions paid by these companies,” said Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim.
He said in South Africa, there were about 700 000 security officers, but only 250 000 were registered for health insurance and provident fund. Jim said according to the agreement, workers paid R250 monthly insurance, half of which was deducted from salaries. “We have to call out the NBCPSS for failing to take action against these employers. It has the power to issue compliance notices to ensure they comply, and we have to wonder why it is simply folding its arms and watching this happen,” he said.
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“Numsa should not have to issue statements to resolve this; the bargaining council should act. Otherwise, it must give us reasons why it is failing to do its work.”
He said over 30 000 guards were affected by this unlawful act, where money had been deducted but not paid to the service provider, amounting to about R50 million.
