Zorena Jantze
THE Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU) has threatened to take legal action and press criminal charges against companies that are not complying with the recently instituted minimum wage requirements to recover “workers’ stolen wages.”
Helvi Hamukoshi, National Coordinator of NATAU, said that in recent times, the union has observed and received numerous reports from men and women in uniform across the country concerning employers who are failing to adhere to the national minimum wage requirements and other provisions outlined in the wage order, including those related to permitted deductions.
This, Hamukoshi said, includes underpayment, wage delays, and disregard for workers’ basic rights. The National Coordinator named and shamed companies that receive security tenders from the government but are non-compliant with minimum wage requirements. These companies are: PIS Security Services, Nahole Security Services, Omeya Investment, Nkasa Security Services, Ombandje Security Services, Chief Nangolo Security Services, Triple One Investment CC, Shilimela Security Services, Bertha Security Services, Omle Security Services, De Grande Investment CC, and Star Protection and Investments.
“These listed few companies have been providing security services to various government institutions in different regions and are not paying workers on time, adhering to the prescribed minimum wages, respecting workers’ rights, and cooperating with registered trade unions. However, they are still receiving government tenders and escaping with their uncalled-for behaviour. There are also other companies that provide security on private properties who commit the same offence. In conclusion, NATAU, with the assistance of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) Federation and its affiliates, will continue to monitor compliance and will not hesitate to pursue legal avenues to enforce the wage order and protect the rights of workers in the security sector, which include—but are not limited to—pressing charges against culprits to recover workers’ stolen wages,” Hamukoshi concluded.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Contributed
