Justice ministry rescues 12 cleaners from jaws of joblessness
Twelve cleaners from the justice ministry - who lost their jobs after their contract ended in April - have been permanently employed on grade 15 as government cleaners.
Their benefits include housing allowance, medical aid and pension as well as study, compassionate and sick leave, among other things.
Previously employed by private contractor Breez Cleaning Company, which had a cleaning tender at the ministry, the cleaners were employed for one month only from 31 March to 1 April 2022.
According to ministry spokesperson Simon Idipo, when their contract ended, the cleaners wrote request letters to the ministry, seeking possible vacant positions.
"For fear of being unemployed again, the cleaners wrote these letters, noting that their company was hired to assist with cleaning duties," he said in a statement.
He stated that to avoid having to readvertise a cleaning tender, the ministry sought approval from the Secretary to Cabinet to create 29 cleaning positions.
"Secretary to Cabinet approved 17 positions with an instruction to fill the positions internally if there are qualifying staff members or to recruit from the registered job-seekers list with the ministry of labour," he said.
Ask and you will receive
Idipo commended the cleaners’ hard work, which he said was of a high standard.
The remaining five vacant positions will be filled from the labour ministry list, he added.
"Today, they came for their employment contracts. As we speak, they are at the banks either opening bank accounts or getting banking confirmation letters to provide to the HR team for their salary.”
During the course of the week, the cleaners will undergo mandatory induction training to introduce them to the public service and acquaint themselves with various processes and information.
They will learn - among other things - how to address various grievances and will also be taken through their benefits.
"I think it's one the best decisions we have taken to address the plight of Namibians, and especially addressing the unemployment dilemma faced by many," Idipo said.
Their benefits include housing allowance, medical aid and pension as well as study, compassionate and sick leave, among other things.
Previously employed by private contractor Breez Cleaning Company, which had a cleaning tender at the ministry, the cleaners were employed for one month only from 31 March to 1 April 2022.
According to ministry spokesperson Simon Idipo, when their contract ended, the cleaners wrote request letters to the ministry, seeking possible vacant positions.
"For fear of being unemployed again, the cleaners wrote these letters, noting that their company was hired to assist with cleaning duties," he said in a statement.
He stated that to avoid having to readvertise a cleaning tender, the ministry sought approval from the Secretary to Cabinet to create 29 cleaning positions.
"Secretary to Cabinet approved 17 positions with an instruction to fill the positions internally if there are qualifying staff members or to recruit from the registered job-seekers list with the ministry of labour," he said.
Ask and you will receive
Idipo commended the cleaners’ hard work, which he said was of a high standard.
The remaining five vacant positions will be filled from the labour ministry list, he added.
"Today, they came for their employment contracts. As we speak, they are at the banks either opening bank accounts or getting banking confirmation letters to provide to the HR team for their salary.”
During the course of the week, the cleaners will undergo mandatory induction training to introduce them to the public service and acquaint themselves with various processes and information.
They will learn - among other things - how to address various grievances and will also be taken through their benefits.
"I think it's one the best decisions we have taken to address the plight of Namibians, and especially addressing the unemployment dilemma faced by many," Idipo said.
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Namibian Sun
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