Nekundi orders Chico to ensure fair wage rates for security guards

Works and Transport minister Veikko Nekundi has ordered China Henan International Cooperation Group (Chico) to ensure that its security services subcontractor signs contracts with its employees, and pays the required minimum wage for security guards by Wednesday.

Nekundi gave this order on Sunday during a site visit to the Nepara-Nkurenkuru and Charlie-Catline Road in the Kavango West region.

The security officers guarding the site are currently being paid N$8.75 per hour, and not the N$13.50 per hour as per the Namibian minimum wage for security guards.

“By Wednesday, the Chico company must make sure that the security company gives its employees contracts, and they must be signed stating the fair wage rate. Failure to do so, their contract must be terminated,” he said.

Nekundi further cautioned that the security company should not consider dismissing the current guards. He warned that any such action would necessitate Chico terminating their contract with the security firm.

Nanyemba Hamutenya (32), an employee of the security company, said they work without any signed contracts and face inconsistent payment schedules.
“We work from 06h00 until 18h00 before we change shifts, which is 12 hours together, but we are not getting enough,” he said.

Hamutenya said he was happy with the minister’s intervention.
“I just hope that things will change for the better and believe and trust this team of leaders can do good work. I never knew that the minister could also work on Sundays,” he said.

Chico group project manager Wang Qiang told the minister that if they do not encounter any delays, the Nepara-Nkurenkuru Road will be opened to motorists by July.