CLOSE to 300 Salini SpA workers downed tools over concerns about safety and health standards at their workplace.
The workers claimed exposure to sun for up to 10 hours, without even being provided with cold water. In contrast, their Italian colleagues enjoy their meals at a canteen under air conditioners, while the workers claimed they are forced to take meals under the blistering sun.
In addition, they protest against alleged salary discrepancies, and sexual harassment to which female workers are subjected at their workplace.
Female workers accused the Italian manager of inappropriate touching and soliciting sex at the workplace.
In an effort to avert the strike, Salini SpA management wrote to the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (Manwu), pledging to put up shade structures for lunch break areas by next week, and providing cold water from potable water tankers from Monday.
However, the workers refused to budge, saying the company’s remedial action was not “satisfactory”.
“They (company management) don’t respect us. We have been raising these concerns since August last year, but our complaints were in vain,” said a shop steward.
Manwu representatives, labour officials, the //Karas governor’s special adviser Lucia Basson and the company management were yesterday locked in a meeting in an effort to end the strike.
According to a worker, parties agreed that workers themselves should be divided into teams to put up the shade structures. Workers however rejected that, saying the company should hire sub-contractors for that purpose.
The workers vowed to stay put until their demands are met. New demands such as the removal of mobile toilets, and the immediate rectification of salary discrepancies also emerged yesterday, The Namibian was informed.
The parties were still locked in a meeting that was convened to end the strike at the time of going to press.
Government awarded Salini SpA a N$2,4 billion tender to build the Neckartal dam near Keetmanshoop.
luqman@namibian.com.na
