Immigration officials grapple with ‘exhausting’ duty roster

Immigration officials at the Katima Mulilo border post have expressed concerns over a recently-implemented duty roster, saying it is unhealthy and unconducive to their well-being.The Katima Mulilo border post recently implemented around-the-clock services to allow for easy cross-border movement. However, the new duty roster, which involves extended working hours with only one off day, has left staff members suffering from with stress and fatigue.In a letter to home affairs ministry executive director Etienne Maritz, the officials said the new roster gives them “zero chance to strike a balance between work and family life”.“We feel we are being exploited by the new roster,” they said.“We also wish to register our sincere dissatisfaction and disappointment to learn that our managers have no say on the duty roster after we made numerous attempts to discuss with them how we are affected by [it].“Regional management claims, with high conviction, that the duty roster was imposed on them by head office to impose it on us immigration officials. We strongly believe our regional managers were supposed to be consulted and accorded a fair chance to draft our duty roster.”DiscriminationThe immigration officials further claimed discrimination in terms of off days.“Why is it that [staff members of the] Namibian Police and Namibia Correctional Service, in the same ministry, are given preference by according them three days off after each shift and we are only accorded a single day to rest?”They added that the new roster has a negative impact on their health.“From working 14 hours to [working] 22 hours for five consecutive days with a one-day break, and then commencing with a 22-hour shift. These long hours are very heavy on us; it is causing us fatigue. In order to keep up with this pressure, we are forced to consume a lot of caffeinated drinks to keep up with our work,” the letter read.Spokesperson Margaret Kalo said the ministry is aware of the complaints and will look into the matter.Maritz added: “We are using internal consultations to resolve the matter amicably in the best interest of the employer and employee. In this regard, we will not provide specific answers to your questions as this matter is a labour issue, which should not be negotiated through the media”.nikanor@erongo.com.na

Immigration officials grapple with ‘exhausting’ duty roster

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-06

Please login to leave a comment

Immigration officials grapple with ‘exhausting’ duty roster

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-06

Please login to leave a comment

Login