A group of apartment guards facing potential layoffs took to the streets Thursday in protest of the apartment’s dismissal notification because of the introduction of a new electronic security system. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Korea Bizwire) – A group of apartment guards facing potential layoffs took to the streets Thursday in protest of the apartment’s dismissal notification because of the introduction of a new electronic security system.
Impending layoffs of security guards have been on the rise as apartment complexes across the country have already begun installing automatic doors and security cameras to minimize the number of guards hired.
Apartment guards are among the society’s most vulnerable workers, keeping vigil around the clock every other day in small custodian offices.
The salaries of such guards are usually sourced from monthly maintenance fees paid by residents of apartment buildings, and so many of them usually agree to dismiss guards in fear of the increased financial burden.’
An apartment complex located in Seoul’s Gangseo district has given the pink slip to 44 guards to leave their posts by the end of this month as the new security system will have taken over their watch duties.
In a news conference, the guards demanded job guarantees, saying they are faced with massive layoffs after being treated as “ruined men.” Two guards even tonsured their heads in protest.
According to the apartment complex, which has nearly 800 household units, their dismissal is inevitable because the resident representatives’ meeting has decided to install the integrated electronic security system operated by a large business company.
A labor organization joined the guards together with some apartment residents denouncing the apartment representatives’ meeting’s decision to lay off the guards “without following proper procedures.”
Some other residents said the installation of the integrated security system is “null and void” as there is no evidence of the residents’ decision on the system.
In January this year, the representatives’ meeting one-sidedly declared that 406 household units, which is more than half of the total units, agreed on the adoption of the system.
Later, however, some 90 household units withdrew their earlier agreement as the representative’s meeting did not disclose the fine print and related materials regarding the decision procedures.
Previously, the apartment residents voted against the security system two times in 2014 and last year.
The apartment guards said they had received text message from the security service company abruptly to leave the apartment on Wednesday and denounced they have never before received such cruel treatment.
(Yonhap)
