Africa-Press – Namibia. CHAIRPERSON of the //Kharas Regional Council Joseph Isaacks is dismayed by the way Nkasa Security Services is treating its workers.
For the past four years, Nkasa Security Services has not been able to pay its security guards on time, while guards at times work up to six months without pay.
These security guards have also been working without employment contracts for more than three months, they are not provided uniforms and are allegedly forced to open bank accounts with First National Bank only.
“This is pure exploitation and the fact that security guards are working without a legally binding contract actually means it is constructive dismissal, leaving room for the company to abandon workers at any time as there is no proof of employment,” said Isaacks.
Currently, 12 security guards have laid complaints against Nkasa at the ministry of labour at Keetmanshoop. One of the employees, Warren Beukes, said he started working in March this year but until June he did not receive payment for his services. He said the group that worked alongside him approached the ministry of labour in May but to no avail.
“Until now, we have not received our salaries and there is also no progress in our case at labour. It seems going to labour was a useless exercise for us,” said Beukes. Ministry of labour administrator Rivaldo van Wyk confirmed the cases and noted that Beukes’ arbitration hearing is expected to take place next month.
The new security guards staged a protest two weeks ago over non-payment of salaries and were promised they would receive their salaries by the end of that week. However, guards such as Claudia van der Merwe, who are allegedly owed up to N$9 000, only received N$520.
“Tell me what can I do now with that N$520,” Van der Merwe said. Nkasa director Eben Masule said Nkasa does not employ security guards on a monthly basis, therefore, they do not have fixed monthly salaries.
Masule said guards are paid on a daily rate of N$105, and that this particular employee could have only come in for those days. He argued that the ministry of health pays the company late and did not pay all the money it owed the company.
“The ministry only paid invoices for May and August this month, while April, June and July are still outstanding. If the ministry does not pay us, we cannot pay the guards,” said Masule.
Chief administrative officer at the ministry of health Lezley Leukes said the ministry has paid the company for all the months, except September. “Masule is lying,” said Leukes.
Because of ongoing abuse against security guards, the Otjozodjupa Regional Council has decided to withhold final payments to outgoing security companies until they prove they have paid all outstanding monies to their security guards.
“Council took a stand against security companies, as it was established that outgoing security companies owed guards money and would have left them without paying them. So their last and final payments will be withheld until they can prove they have paid all outstanding monies to the guards,” said council chairperson Marlayn Mbakera.
Councillor Isaacks said he does not want the contract of Nkasa Security Services renewed for //Kharas region, as the company has a record of not paying security guards.
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