Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu) commander in chief Petersen Kambinda says more and more companies in the Erongo region are opting to recruit foreign drivers for cheap labour.
“We have noted there’s an organised syndicate of foreigners being dished out permits to work here.
“We have reason to believe they are working with some government officials from immigration,” he claims.
Kambinda was speaking at a media briefing in Windhoek yesterday.
“It does not mean foreign drivers are not good or that we don’t have people who can drive in Namibia. No, they are subjecting our brothers to cheap labour.
“They know if they recruit Namibians they will join unions that will speak for them.
Foreigners from Zambia or Zimbabwe have no one to speak for them here, and they are being exploited,” he said.
The union has called out the Namibian Police in the Erongo region for accepting ‘brown envelopes’.
“We have noted very serious concerns, especially in the Erongo and Otjozondjupa regions, of the police having been captured by white monopoly capital, with little understanding of their duty.
“Some commanders are being ordered by company owners to address labour disputes.
This must stop,” he said.
Kambinda said the union has encountered company owners who “run to the police to threaten employees” employees often concede under employers’ pressure instead of approaching the labour ministry.
“The police need to oversee law and order as observed by all citizens and combat crime, which is rampant.
“They must not reduce themselves to be used to carry out jobs that are outside their jurisdiction simply because of what they are given in return.
“Employees’ constitutional rights cannot be sold simply because of those who are addicted to brown envelopes,” he said.
Erongo police commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona says they understand the difference between labour disputes and civil matters.
“We don’t necessarily involve ourselves in such, unless threats are involved, and we are not being paid by companies.
“They must bring proof that this particular officer was paid by the company,” he says.
The union has accused Rhinotrek and XCCS of disrespecting Namibia’s Labour Act by not allowing employees to join the union.
Managing director and sole shareholder of Extreme Customs Clearing Services (XCCS) Laurensius Julius says the company is not aware of what the union is referring to, saying the allegations are false.
“We have not stopped anyone from joining the union. We have employees who are part of the union, ” he says.
Julius is one of the accused appearing in court in connection with a customs fraud case involving
N$3,5 billion, and is currently out on bail.
Calls to contact RhinoTrek Transport went unanswered.
Kambinda also said the union is pleading with all road users to be vigilant and adhere to the rules of the road.
“This thing of telling employees “load today, off-load tommorrows”, without taking into consideration the distance, puts employees and other road users at risk – especially truck driver employers.
“Do not chase kilometres.
When you feel fatigued, pull over and rest.
“Zero accidents is possible if we all pledge to this,” he said.
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