By: Ludorf Iyambo
A crowd of Namibia Protection Services (NPS) workers downed their tools today, demanding an increase in wages.
This morning, the workers organised a parade at Katutura Shoprite in Windhoek.
Last Monday, the workers cried out to the Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to help them with wage demands and other perks.
In this light, the workers demand to get feedback on their salaries no later than 13 May.
The workers told The Villager that their employer did not answer the demands for the salary increment they made last week. This, according to them, resulted in them not reporting to work.
NPS workers are demanding a salary increment of at least N$15 per hour, as they currently earn N$ 8.5 per hour. “No increment, no work”, they chanted.
According to the workers, they did not get an increment for the past seven years.
The workers also demanded that the company allow workers to further their studies; and that it pays workers for work-related injuries and the medical costs when workers are injured on duty.
“I have lost my phones twice on duty because I was robbed, but the company did not compensate me for anything. I also worked for this company for the past seven years but received no bonus or related benefit,” one of the guards said.
They also want a danger allowance of N$2 000 per month and an annual bonus.
“Back in the days, we worked for 25 days per month, which brings us to accumulative salaries of N$ 3 500 and above, but now we work for 20 days, making N$ 2 000 to take home,” they said.
Another said food and other commodities have increased, and the current salary can’t measure their living standards.
Workers further clarified to the company management that they don’t want to be represented by the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Natau).
During the parade, they chanted and shouted that Natau should go, and they didn’t want the union anymore.
They added that Natau is aware of their suffering, but the union has failed to protect them.
“We get deducted N$40 per month for a union that does nothing for us,” said one of the workers.
Meanwhile, the regional organiser of Natau, Erenfriend Katjipuka, said in terms of the total workforce, Natau does not hold a 50 plus power; hence the union doesn’t have recognition with the company.
“However, we have good relations with NPS, and now and then, we have been talking with the company regarding the salary increment because the last increment was 2016,” said Katjipuka.
Katjipuka added that there was also an automatic adjustment of N$10 per hour in 2018. However, the forum in recognition on behalf of the security guards was dismantled because the Security Association of Namibia (SAN) was no longer part of that forum.
The Villager had also reached out to NPS acting chief executive officer Fanie Horn, who refused to comment on the matter.
