Amidst the concerns surrounding Covid-19, security officers have also had to double up routine temperature checks for the sites that they are working at, beyond their normal duties.
In times like these, saving a nice smile or a thank you for these security officers can make all the difference to their workday.
And that’s what the Union of Security Employees (USE) did in the afternoon on 24 February 2020.
Distributing Care Packs
Together with NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, the union gave out care packages to some 50 security officers from Reachfield Security and Safety Management Pte Ltd (Reachfield) who are deployed at the National Library Building.
Each of the care packs contained items to help security officers look after their own health: four pieces of surgical masks, a USE umbrella and a USE hand fan. Young NTUC contributed the hand sanitiser and oral thermometers to the packs.
The care packages were put together by USE union leaders, staff, NTUC Industrial Relations Officers as well as youth volunteers from Young NTUC.
USE also gave out 50 care packs to security officers over the past two weeks, including those deployed at Gardens by the Bay (Gardens).
Taking Care Of Outsourced Workers
According to the union, Gardens has taken measures to protect the welfare and health of their outsourced security officers from Reachfield.
“For example, Gardens made it a priority for security officers to receive hand sanitisers and disinfectants and are also undertaking clear daily communications with officers on the status of the outbreak.
“Gardens worked closely with Reachfield on processes and protocols during this period, further strengthening the working relationship between service buyer and service provider,” said USE.
USE Executive Secretary Steve Tan said: “We hope the care packs will help boost their [security officers] spirits as they continue their hard work. Beyond that, we encourage buyers of security services to take good care of the health of their outsourced security officers, just as they would of their own employees. After all, we are all in this together.”
