Abstract

POMA, Fernanda PAGE  and  GLANC, Laura. From the checkpoint to the mall: Who are they, what do they do and how do private security guards live in Argentina today?. Trab. soc. [online]. 2024, vol.25, n.42, pp.339-359.  Epub Jan 01, 2024. ISSN 1514-6871.

What do they do, who are they and how do private security workers live in Argentina today? What tasks include those of private security guards? Based on in-depth interviews and digital ethnography, in this paper we examine the functions and characteristics of private security from its agents in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA in its Spanish initials). The article shows that the way of life, the use of money and the consumption of private security guards are closely linked to the informal and precarious conditions that characterize the sector. Given low income levels, free time is spent working overtime and seeking loans or credit to finance goods and services that are otherwise unavailable. On the other hand, the high rates of informality and the consequent lack of state regulation, among other deficiencies, leave private security workers without protection. This situation brings to light that, sometimes, in order to keep his job, a security guard must perform functions that exceed and differ from those of security, control, monitoring or surveillance.

Keywords : Private security; private security guards; informality; precarious work; various occupations.

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