August 26 workers lament payment delays

Contract workers were up in arms yesterday due to non-payment for the past three months. The group, working on the construction of a new school in Swakopmund, said they cannot complete their work due to a lack of material.

The workers are pleading with the main contractor, August 26, to address the matter, or speak to sub-contractors to release funds. It is unclear what has caused the payment delay, with workers saying the same construction operation is running in Walvis Bay under the same company with no issues.

Regional education director Enfriede Stephanus promised to look into the matter and provide feedback.

One of the workers Johannes Shafooli said towards the end of October, the last materials were delivered, and since then, they have received no feedback or communication.

After numerous complaints, they were told they would receive payment last Wednesday, but this has not happened, he said.