Journey of a security guard to Great Hall
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E-mail China Daily, March 6, 2015
Talking about the high attrition rate among security guards, a deputy of the National People's Congress becomes upset.
"What I have tried all these years is to ensure security guards can get enough facilities and more occupational protection, hoping the number of those leaving the post can drop,"said Zhu Liangyu. .
Since Zhu was voted as the NPC deputy in 2013, he has suggested several proposals for security guards, as he has devoted more than 20 years to the industry and "had great affection for the job”.
Dating back to Aug 1, 1993, when Zhu arrived in Beijing from his hometown, Heze in Shandong province, he dreamt to be a policeman and earn more money for his poor family.
He came to Beijing's Haidian district and began realizing his dream by working as security guard.
"I never thought I would stay so long in the post,"he said, with pride and a little bit sadness.
He told China Daily that he wanted to quit the job on the first day itself in 1997, after a visitor who did not have identity papers insulted him when he Zhu refused to let him in
"I was in rage when the visitor shouted at me and looked down at me, but I did not argue. I decided to change the job out of self-respect,"he said.
On the way back to his home on that day, he found a woman following him. "I felt uncomfortable and had to stop. But when I found out that she was following me because I was wearing the security guard uniform and that gave her sense of security on the dark road, I was moved and touched.”
"At that moment, I realized the importance of the job,"he said with a big smile. "I decided to improve the profession instead of quitting.”
Since then, he has conducted several studies on fighting crime, especially catching thieves.
Zhu said he is often on the lookout for criminals in shopping malls and in communities as catching thieves is also "a major task for security guards”.
He said he felt a sense of achievement when he helped catch criminals.
On how to catch thieves effectively, "which is also a major task for security guards,"he said, adding that he often observed in shopping malls and looked around his responsible community again and again.
When he helped owners of lost properties arrested thieves, he said he could get sense of achievement and also told them to be careful in crowded places, such as around the door of elevators.
"I always remind women to take care of their bags when they are waiting in a line outside the fitting rooms. I cannot bear the sight of someone being bullied and want to provide help whenever somebody is in danger,"he said.
Showing a scar on his legs, he remembered the day in June 1997 when he put out a fire in the community.
"I was off work at the time, but I heard some people screaming for help in heavy smog. Without hesitation, I rushed to the site with my colleagues and it took two hours to put the blaze out. Although I was injured, the residents' security made me happy,"he said.
The experience not only brought him lots of awards, but also a realization.
"I just wanted to ensure people's safety in the past, but now I pay attention to the problems of the ordinary people. It's my duty to do something for the migrant workers, help them get respect and economic protection in big cities,"he said.
Although he still lives in a basement in Beijing, he thinks the appreciation and affection motivates and encourages him.
Among the 4.5 million security guards in China, he, as the only deputy, knows he shoulders great responsibility. "Along with providing a safe environment for residents, I should also speak up against low pay.”
Now, the deputy, who is also a manager of a Haidian-based security guard company, supplies his workers with training, including security evaluation and physical exercise.
"The more the workers improve themselves in the training, the more they will stay in the industry, and more safe our life will be,"he said.
