Security at household and company level remains a challenge in the country. Property and lives are at times at risk due to lack of security in various premises.

In recent years, the country saw a boom in security companies which gave hope to many that security matters will improve.

However, it is sad to note that most of these companies are interested in making hefty profits rather than investing for the benefit of the country.

Lack of high tech security equipment makes the security companies less useful resulting in an increase in thefts or robberies.

Apart from equipment the most critical investment would be the workforce, thus the guards themselves.

It is disheartening to note that people who have been entrusted with the responsibility to protect lives or huge investments only go home with as little as K5,000 per month.

David Tchuma, 34, is a guard at one of the security companies outside Blantyre.

He works from 6 a.m up to 5.30 p.m in one week and then swap shifts the following week working from 5.30 p.m to 6 a.m.

Tchuma said he is given one day off duty every week and his salary ranges between K5,000 and K8,000 per month.

"It is almost impossible to have a decent living with such a salary. With the economic challenges rocking the country survival is a challenge," he said.

Another guard working for a bigger security service company who asked for anonymity said salaries are so low at their company such that they are forced to live in some of the poorest housing areas in the country.

The guard said from what they hear, fellow guards elsewhere earn more money and live comfortable lives as well.

"But here we are living in homes with no running water and no electricity. Frequently we do not have enough to eat and our children's school fees go unpaid. Even drinking tea in our homes is a luxury we cannot afford.

"We work long hours without overtime. Instead of increasing our hourly pay for the four hours of overtime we work each day, the company reduces our wages by half," said the source.

The source further said their salaries vary but most of them earn not more than K10,000 per month which is far below the current cost of living.

A Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) survey conducted in January 2012 indicated that in its basic needs basket the cost of living for a family of six in Malawi's four cities increased at an average 10 percent.

Items in the basic needs basket comprises rentals, school fees, utility bills and basic food items such as maize, fish, beans, sugar, cooking oil, salt and vegetables.

CfSC said prices for every item on the basket went up drastically and total cost of living for the country is above K60,000.

However, a new security company promises a sigh of relief to the guards and general improvement on services at household and company level.

Ernest Jailosi, 36, is a Group One Armed and Armoured Security Services employee and says he has worked as a guard before at another company but now he is able to differentiate the working conditions even the salary itself.

Jailosi said the training offered by his new employers is of high standard and beneficial.

"We are trained in several areas including fitness which see us being at the gym for an hour every day. From previous experience we could only run once in while as part of exercising which mostly leaves a lot of guards unfit," he said.

On earnings, he said the company offers them better perks that ranges between K15,000 and K30,000 depending on experience, grade and qualification.

"It is difficult to get satisfied with money. But what I am being paid is far much better as compared to my friends in other security companies," he said.

Group One which has been in operation in the country for three months now corporate guarding and cash transfers with a small percentage eyeing home services.

The company's Managing Director Dimitri Kalaitizs said the economic hardships are so enormous in the country and it is important for employers to consider the welfare of their employees.

Kalaitizs said well paid employees are mostly dedicated and deliver as expected.

"Being security providers and knowing the task in front of the guards we saw it proper that our guards should be paid more than the recommended government labour rate," he said.

Kalaitizs explained that whilst competition is stiff on the market, quality should also not be compromised.

"We want to give our clients value for their money and one way of achieving that is to make sure that our employees are much comfortable and that social welfare issues are addressed amicably to the benefit of the company and themselves. We would like to see them being able to send their children to school without difficulties," said Kalaitizs.

He also said a lot more guards are coming from various companies to look for employment at Group One because of the better off salaries being offered.

Kalaitizs however said Group One is not interested in poaching from other companies but rather building their own team from scratch.

"Group One has its own criteria and would not just employ any Jack and Jim who comes looking for a job. Our guards are screened, well trained and disciplined, because we want to give the market high quality services," he said.