TRUCK drivers transporting raw materials for the construction of Namport’s N$4 billion container terminal fear losing their jobs this week if they do not accept new wage conditions by their employer that would allegedly see their salaries slashed by about 35%.
One of the drivers (who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal from his employer) said about 16 truck drivers work for Endifa Investments, which is sub-contracted by China Harbour Engineering Company, the main contractor of the terminal that is being built on reclaimed land.
According to this source, the drivers have been receiving N$35 per hour which comes to a taxable salary of about N$7 000 a month – allegedly with no other benefits.
They drive to and fro between the sand and gravel quarries situated between Walvis Bay and the the town’s airport, and the construction site of the terminal at the south gate of Namport.
On 21 January they were informed that their wages will be reduced to N$23 per hour – and that the two shifts throughout the day will be reduced to a single shift between dusk and dawn.
The source accused his employer of using the night to cover up alleged illegal overloading as from after 22h00, when the Walvis Bay weighbridge closes, forcing drivers to overload their trucks until the end of the shift at 06h00 – when the weighbridge opens for service.
“We do not want to accept these terms, so they sent us home a week ago and told us that they will retrench us next week (this week) if we reject the terms. They have started recruiting others in the meantime who are working on these new conditions,” he claimed.
He said the drivers were unsure about what the motive for the company’s decision is and what their future holds.
When approached for comment, Endifa’s manager Robert Muzaza said it was still premature to discuss the matter because it was being dealt with by the company’s labour consultant. He referred The Namibian to a company shareholder, Veniki Shaanika, to have all questions answered.
Shaanika said on Friday that he would only be able to answer the questions today.
Some of the questions posed to him via email was why the wages were reduced and why the workers were sent home; and if the workers were ‘threatened’ with retrenchment if they did not accept the new conditions. The question around the alleged illegal overloading was also raised.
The Namibian learnt that the weighbridge is in fact closed from about 22h00 till 06h00 and that officers are apparently aware of the overloading… “because there is just one company that does it”.
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