By: Annakleta Haikera
Security guards of Shilimela Security Services in Kavango West have accused the company of not paying their salaries since August 2021 and putting them through inhumane working conditions.
In a demonstration held this week in solidarity with the March Movement, the security guards downed tools to voice their frustration and disappointment over their suffering, which they say has been long-lasting.
“We want our money and benefits. Pay your workers before you buy a helicopter. We want full leave and overtime.”
These are some of the demands from the disgruntled security guards of Shilimela Security Services.”
The guards further accused the company’s owner, Banda Shilimela of not respecting them or responding to their complaints.
“In 2018 when the company was approved in Nkurenkuru people have been working under pressure and from August 2021 we have not received any payment up to date. It is 6 months now with no salaries,” the employees said.
A petition that was handed over to the Sirkka Ausiku, the Kavango West governor’s office on Thursday demanded that each security guard be given a contract, be registered with the Social Security Commission, and be allowed to join unions.
They further demanded that the company pays all the backdated salaries and that guards should be provided with protective equipment. They also demanded that the company pays all workers through their bank accounts instead of e-Wallet.
The guards also want the ministry to terminate Shilimela’s contract with government entities.
Speaking to The Villager, Chairperson of the Freedom Movement, Modestus Kasoma, said that “the demonstration should not be viewed as politically motivated, but the action was born out of anger, pain, disappointment and frustration of long-lasting suffering of security guards.”
He further stated that the protest was directed at Shilimela Security service management, the ministry of gender equality, poverty eradiation and social welfare among other ministries and other entities that have security guards contracted with Shilimela through the office of the Kavango West Regional Governor to be aware of the exploitative working conditions of security guards employed by Shilimela Security Services in the Kavango West.
He said they are mistreated, undermined, intimidated and neglected by authorities in the government and the management of Shilimela Security Service company.
“Security guards employed by Shilimela have outstanding salaries for six months. Their last payment has been delayed despite being verbally informed that their payday is on the 25th of every month. The exploited security guards have been working without a contract since their deployment in August 2018.
“They were not allowed to sign any contract despite engagement with the supervisor. They have no off days, not even remuneration for working overtime and on public holidays.”
He also said that the security guards have no leave days and are forced to work even when they should be on maternity and sick leave.
The security guards have given the authorities until 11 February 2022 to reply to their demands, saying they do not want to turn into lawlessness because of Shilimela, who they say, does not want to respect the labour laws of the country.
Sisanda Secilia, one of the company’s security guards, said, “We are looked at like we don’t get tired or we are stupid. I am disappointed if people are maybe doubting that we are making up all these things. We are saying, please try and go to the bank, ask for my bank statement. There’s nothing. We don’t have any because we only get our money through e-Wallet. I was pregnant and I didn’t have my maternity leave. I worked throughout my pregnancy, and I just want this private company to be terminated and then perhaps the government can get us another company that can sign contracts with us all.”
She said that despite working with no payment, the guards have not missed work.
“We have been working under pressure here. You can even work the whole day and if you call on the management of the company, they will switch off their phones or block you. These owners don’t value us at all.”
Responding to the allegations the CEO of the Shilimela Security Service Company, Banda Shilimela said, “I want to know what is that particular person doing in Shilimela Company if he or she has not been paid for the past six months, as alleged by these detractors? I want to assure the whole Namibian nation that the people who are taking this issue are not members of Shilimela company. We have evidence. The motive behind this issue ranges from political to tribal and should be perceived about my success as entrepreneurship.”
He said the company has paid salaries consecutively for the last six months from August 2021 to January 2022.
“To forward and simply make a declaration at any police station, hand it over at all 29 offices countrywide, Shilimela Security Company will pay such individual a 1 million. This offer will run for 30 days, and I am urging all media houses to disseminate this information through print and electronic media. I am hereby rejecting all the accusations levelled against Shilimela Security Company as false, malicious and a fabrication.”
