G4S workers demand decent pay
Union accused of failing employees
The security officers and guards demanded N$25 per hour, 50 to 100% annual bonus and double their rates on Sundays, amongst other things.
G4S Namibia workers are up in arms over what they term a “measly” N$2 400 salary with no danger allowance or medical aid.
The armed response company’s employees have also accused the Namibia Independent Security Union (NISU) of failing them.
A peaceful strike was reportedly agreed upon during a meeting on Sunday with Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) commissar Michael Amushelelo and NISU leadership; however, by 07:00 Monday morning, the workers were stranded with no support system.
The union’s spokesperson Simon Kandondo arrived two hours later, claiming he was ill and he had no electricity to charge his cellphone to inform the striking workers, while Amushelelo showed up 30 minutes after that to ‘enquire’ about his personal security account.
Amushelelo told Namibian Sun that he was in fact called by the Namibian Police and threatened not to join the strike as he may risk arrest, since he is currently out on bail on charges of public violence and incitement to commit an offence.
“We have written a formal notice to the police in terms of the Public Gatherings Proclamation. Once the approval has been granted, I will be at the forefront to ensure that the workers’ demands are met,” he said when contacted.
Disappointed
The workers’ shop steward Hilarius Remiguiles said they are disappointed and have lost faith in the union as well as Amushelelo, but they will push ahead and demand better wages.
“It is very bad because it was them who were holding the meeting yesterday and we came to protest because they said so. We called them to direct us and tell us how the law works and we were waiting for something good from them,” he said.
In a demand letter, allegedly handed over more than a month ago, the security officers and guards demanded N$25 per hour, 50 to 100% annual bonus and double the rate on Sundays as well as for overtime.
They currently receive N$100 overtime pay per day.
The workers said they also want to be paid their transport allowance instead of having it deducted from their salaries.
They further demanded housing and bush allowance as well as N$2 000 danger allowance, given the nature of the job.
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The armed response company’s employees have also accused the Namibia Independent Security Union (NISU) of failing them.
A peaceful strike was reportedly agreed upon during a meeting on Sunday with Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) commissar Michael Amushelelo and NISU leadership; however, by 07:00 Monday morning, the workers were stranded with no support system.
The union’s spokesperson Simon Kandondo arrived two hours later, claiming he was ill and he had no electricity to charge his cellphone to inform the striking workers, while Amushelelo showed up 30 minutes after that to ‘enquire’ about his personal security account.
Amushelelo told Namibian Sun that he was in fact called by the Namibian Police and threatened not to join the strike as he may risk arrest, since he is currently out on bail on charges of public violence and incitement to commit an offence.
“We have written a formal notice to the police in terms of the Public Gatherings Proclamation. Once the approval has been granted, I will be at the forefront to ensure that the workers’ demands are met,” he said when contacted.
Disappointed
The workers’ shop steward Hilarius Remiguiles said they are disappointed and have lost faith in the union as well as Amushelelo, but they will push ahead and demand better wages.
“It is very bad because it was them who were holding the meeting yesterday and we came to protest because they said so. We called them to direct us and tell us how the law works and we were waiting for something good from them,” he said.
In a demand letter, allegedly handed over more than a month ago, the security officers and guards demanded N$25 per hour, 50 to 100% annual bonus and double the rate on Sundays as well as for overtime.
They currently receive N$100 overtime pay per day.
The workers said they also want to be paid their transport allowance instead of having it deducted from their salaries.
They further demanded housing and bush allowance as well as N$2 000 danger allowance, given the nature of the job.
[email protected]
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