AS from September 10, security guards are supposed to earn N$5 per hour. This is N$1,20 up from the previous minimum wage of N$3,80 per hour.
Paulus Ashipala, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, said the gazetting of the minimum wage follows a collective agreement that was signed on June 8 2012.According to him, the agreement stipulates that a shift amounts to 10,5 hours. For every hour worked beyond the shift requirement, a N$4 shift bonus applies, Ashipala said.In terms of the agreement, employers will provide guards with uniforms and retain N$300 of their wages as a deposit for the uniforms.Should the guard resign or his/her services be terminated, the deposit will be refunded.Two pairs of trousers and two shirts or blouses should be provided annually. Furthermore, a hat or a cap should be provided yearly and a tie and epaulettes every second year when applicable. A blazer should be provided every third year while a jersey should be provided yearly.Dries Kannemeyer of the Security Association of Namibia (SAN) yesterday said security companies must comply with the agreement.He urged labour inspectors to do their work and make sure that security companies implement the agreement. ‘They must then act against those who don’t comply with it.’
