Rani employees fed up with contract labour system
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) last Friday staged a demonstration at the Rani Group of companies in Oshakati, demanding that the group do away with the contract labour system as workers feel they have no job security.
A petition submitted to the group further accused management of allegedly using abusive language towards workers.
Cornelius Nepela, who handed over the petition, said salaries are low and employees are expected to work seven days a week with no overtime for Sunday shifts.
“Our salaries are not calculated per hour as other companies do. They said our salary is fixed, but if you go on leave, you only receive half of your salary,” he said, adding that workers do not have clearly stipulated employment conditions.
Intimidation
Employees faced intimidation when management found out they had joined a union, Nepela said, adding that most workers earn between N$1 200 and N$1 400, making it extremely difficult to afford basic necessities.
“With that salary, one cannot afford to buy a plot. Most of the employees here are women. Take into account that with that salary you should pay rent, school fees for children, transport and other household commodities,” the petition read in part.
The workers demanded that their salaries be set to market standards and be calculated on hourly rates. They further demanded that the contract labour system be abolished as they "experience a lot of inhumane treatment under it”.
The employees gave the Rani Group management 48 hours to respond to the petition, and were expecting feedback by yesterday. One of the group’s managers, Rajesh Vaida, said he will hand over the petition and provide feedback.
By yesterday afternoon, the aggrieved employees had not heard back from the group of companies.
A petition submitted to the group further accused management of allegedly using abusive language towards workers.
Cornelius Nepela, who handed over the petition, said salaries are low and employees are expected to work seven days a week with no overtime for Sunday shifts.
“Our salaries are not calculated per hour as other companies do. They said our salary is fixed, but if you go on leave, you only receive half of your salary,” he said, adding that workers do not have clearly stipulated employment conditions.
Intimidation
Employees faced intimidation when management found out they had joined a union, Nepela said, adding that most workers earn between N$1 200 and N$1 400, making it extremely difficult to afford basic necessities.
“With that salary, one cannot afford to buy a plot. Most of the employees here are women. Take into account that with that salary you should pay rent, school fees for children, transport and other household commodities,” the petition read in part.
The workers demanded that their salaries be set to market standards and be calculated on hourly rates. They further demanded that the contract labour system be abolished as they "experience a lot of inhumane treatment under it”.
The employees gave the Rani Group management 48 hours to respond to the petition, and were expecting feedback by yesterday. One of the group’s managers, Rajesh Vaida, said he will hand over the petition and provide feedback.
By yesterday afternoon, the aggrieved employees had not heard back from the group of companies.
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Namibian Sun
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