61 workers down tools at Rundu

RUNDU – Sixty-one people working for the Chan Close Corporation (cc), a construction company, downed tools on Monday, claiming unfair labour practices and demanding a wage increase.

At present, labourers who work in shifts, are employed to dig holes and are paid N$20 a day. The workers are demanding a N$10 wage increase.The workers also want to sign a contract with the company, saying they want something on paper.”We have not signed a contract yet.It is high time that we sign one with this company because we are doing a dangerous job.We also want to be registered with the Social Security Commission (SSC) and trade unions,” said Eused Mbeya, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues.The workers also complained that they are allegedly called ‘yinguru’ by their Chinese foreman, meaning pigs in a local language.They have asked the foreman to refrain from such abusive language.The labourers have given the company five days to respond to their grievances or to face unspecified action.Approached for comment, the company’s foreman, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Nampa that he was not in a position to respond to their demands.He has, however, promised to forward the workers’ grievances to the company’s owner, who is currently based in Windhoek.Meanwhile, the Labour Relations Officer here, John Mutelo, described the labourers’ wages as “deplorable”.Mutelo said the company was contravening the Labour Act, which stipulated that labourers must be paid NS$8 an hour.Chan cc, a Chinese-owned company, was contracted to construct a shopping complex here.It is due to be completed within eight months.NampaThe workers are demanding a N$10 wage increase.The workers also want to sign a contract with the company, saying they want something on paper.”We have not signed a contract yet.It is high time that we sign one with this company because we are doing a dangerous job.We also want to be registered with the Social Security Commission (SSC) and trade unions,” said Eused Mbeya, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues.The workers also complained that they are allegedly called ‘yinguru’ by their Chinese foreman, meaning pigs in a local language.They have asked the foreman to refrain from such abusive language.The labourers have given the company five days to respond to their grievances or to face unspecified action.Approached for comment, the company’s foreman, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Nampa that he was not in a position to respond to their demands.He has, however, promised to forward the workers’ grievances to the company’s owner, who is currently based in Windhoek.Meanwhile, the Labour Relations Officer here, John Mutelo, described the labourers’ wages as “deplorable”.Mutelo said the company was contravening the Labour Act, which stipulated that labourers must be paid NS$8 an hour.Chan cc, a Chinese-owned company, was contracted to construct a shopping complex here.It is due to be completed within eight months.Nampa