Several Express Credit loan officers have been suspended over alleged bribe-taking, as workers and their union are accusing the firm of exploitation and unfair practices.
Over 10 loan officers have been suspended over the past weeks for allegedly receiving funds from customers as tokens of appreciation.
The loan officers say additionally, their working environment is toxic.
Namibia Financial Institutions Union (Nafinu) general secretary Asnath Zamuee says workers at Express Credit work under tough conditions, involving a disregard of their rights, exploitation, and emotional abuse.
“A token of gratitude which serves as a tip for satisfied customer service is deemed as bribery. The employer’s commission is structured in such a way that the employees cannot reach their targets to get commission,” Zamuee says.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, Zamuee calls for the ministry’s intervention.
“The firm is suspending and dismissing workers with impunity and have now put workers in a state of despair, panic, and anxiety. The firm further uses friends and acquaintances to chair disciplinary hearings,” the letter reads.
The Namibian has spoken to some of the employees who say they are currently on suspension.
They claim their supervisor has verbally threatened to fire and suspend them, claiming they have received bribes from clients.
One employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said: “We are suspended and new people are hired while the company is still busy with hearings.
“There is a supervisor who goes through clients’ bank statements to look for our cellphone numbers and whether any unlawful transactions have been made involving our numbers.”
Another employee this week said: “Most of my colleagues, whether at work or on suspension, fear losing their jobs. We just hope for a friendly working environment, and I am calling on the Ministry of Justice and Labour to intervene.
“In the meantime, we took our grievances to the union.” he added.
The employees claim they are not receiving bribes, but rather tips for services offered.
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations spokesperson Jeremia Namalenga has confirmed that the ministry has received the letter from the union.
“The ministry will look into the matter further and will respond,” he said earlier this week.
Contacted for comment, Express Credit head of customer service Quentin van Wyk said he cannot comment on the matter without proof of the accusations.
Express Credit chief executive Johan Coetzee did not respond to phone calls and text messages this week.
Express Credit is a Latvian-owned entity operating in Namibia as a microlender with branches across the country.
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