The security industry has registered its long- awaited National Employment Council, automatically breaking away from the NEC commercial sectors where it was registered as a sub-sector. Zimbabwe Security Guards Union secretary general Mr Philimon Nhema said registration of the NEC was a welcome development in the sector.

"This will definitely improve the welfare of security guards remarkably," said Mr Nhema.

"The NEC registration was a result of concerted effort by unions in the security industry because employers were satisfied operating without a regulatory authority."

He said that absence of the security NEC had been a stumbling block especially in wage negotiations. He said wages were negotiated by the commercial sector, which served little security interest, or had them imposed by the employers.

"We have already formulated our own collective bargaining agreement for the sector and will negotiate wages on our own taking into consideration working conditions in the industry," said Mr Nhema.

He said that Zisegu faced difficulties in convincing the Security Association of Zimbabwe the need for an exclusive NEC.

Mr Nhema said that some employers affiliated to SAZ had not been committed to formation of the NEC.

"We appreciate the support we received from the Zimbabwe Indigenous National Security Association. SAZ only joined after realising that formation of the NEC was irreversible," said Mr Nhema.

The new security sector CBA provides for housing and transport allowances in addition to basic salaries for guards.

Zisegu has managed to negotiate for other allowances like shoe polish and soap, bicycle, dog handler, gun and cash-in-transit allowances.

It has also negotiated for a month's notice before a guard can be transferred to another city.