76 workers not at work

RUNDU – Seventy-six employees of the Equator Construction Company, who downed tools about three weeks ago, have not yet returned to work.

The workers downed tools demanding a wage increment and they vowed not to return to work unless their demands are met. The workers were employed to do bricklaying for the construction of Rundu Regional Home Affairs office, and before they went on strike they earned N$40 a day.When Nampa visited the site only a handful of about 10 workers had returned to work.Those who returned to work said they were left with no choice but to return to work because they have no other means to support their families.”We have no other choice because nothing is being done by the Labour Relations Office here and we are working because we need some money to buy food,” said Daniel Kalimbwe, one of the employees who returned to work.Approached for comment, the assistant to the site manager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said not all 76 employees are currently needed, as the workload has been reduced and requires fewer workers.”The job is limited and we only need part of them,” she said.Three weeks ago, workers threatened to stage a demonstration because of their employer’s alleged refusal to abide by the Labour Act.In a letter that was earlier forwarded to the Labour Commissioner’s Office in Windhoek, the workers claimed that a bricklayer was being paid N$90 only if he/she has made 900 bricks.Workers further alleged that money is being deducted from their wages for taking a shower at the workplace.Efforts to get comment from the Rundu Labour Officer proved futile.NampaThe workers were employed to do bricklaying for the construction of Rundu Regional Home Affairs office, and before they went on strike they earned N$40 a day.When Nampa visited the site only a handful of about 10 workers had returned to work.Those who returned to work said they were left with no choice but to return to work because they have no other means to support their families.”We have no other choice because nothing is being done by the Labour Relations Office here and we are working because we need some money to buy food,” said Daniel Kalimbwe, one of the employees who returned to work.Approached for comment, the assistant to the site manager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said not all 76 employees are currently needed, as the workload has been reduced and requires fewer workers.”The job is limited and we only need part of them,” she said.Three weeks ago, workers threatened to stage a demonstration because of their employer’s alleged refusal to abide by the Labour Act.In a letter that was earlier forwarded to the Labour Commissioner’s Office in Windhoek, the workers claimed that a bricklayer was being paid N$90 only if he/she has made 900 bricks.Workers further alleged that money is being deducted from their wages for taking a shower at the workplace.Efforts to get comment from the Rundu Labour Officer proved futile.Nampa