Self-Contributory Health-Insurance Scheme for Security Guards

Security guards are to benefit from a self-contributory health-insurance scheme provided through Guardian Life.

Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague, who made the announcement at his Oxford Road offices yesterday (November 9), said that some 23,000 registered security guards stand to benefit from health coverage.

It includes an individual plan for $997 per month, a family plan for $1,473 per month, and a $2,725 scheme to facilitate higher categories of wage earners.

Mr. Montague said the Ministry worked with Guardian Life and the Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA) to design the policy, which is based on the salaries of the guards. “We want the guards to be able to take care of their health and the health of their families,” he pointed out.

He noted that the health-insurance plan is expected to become effective on December 1, but this will depend on how many persons sign on to the scheme.

“We are encouraging all security guards to sign up for insurance. The more persons who indicate interest, the higher the possibility of the prices decreasing and the more likely it is that the plan will take effect December 1,” the Minister said.

He informed that there will be a series of sensitisation activities such as seminars, islandwide tours, text messaging and in-house sessions to encourage the security guards to sign up for health insurance.

Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Guardian Life, Alicia Foster, said the insurance provider is pleased to be able to offer coverage for the security guards.

She noted that the private-security industry employs thousands of men and women and “we want to ensure that they stay healthy. I applaud the Government and the Minister of National Security for taking this bold step for this very important sector.”

Executive Director of the PSRA, Roslyn Monteith Campbell, in her remarks, said the insurance plan is one of the several measures the PSRA is undertaking to regulate and professionalise the security industry in Jamaica.

Location Supervisor at Hawkeye, Junior Sang Hue, noted that the provision of health insurance for security guards is a “milestone achievement” and “shows that their service and work is valued”.

He also urged the guards to make use of the opportunity and sign up for the plan that best suits them.