Labour abuse claims haunt Rundu Airport contractor
‘No one is listening’
Workers employed by Tulinavo Construction claim the company is underpaying and exploiting them and failing to provide essential safety gear – allegations the company has denied.
Several workers employed by Tulinavo Construction at the Rundu Airport have alleged that they are paid below the N$18 minimum wage stipulated for the construction sector, pocketing only N$12.25 per hour.
Tulinavo Construction holds a contract to erect a fence around the Rundu Airport.
Two of the workers, Anthony Haneb and Abisai Shikalepo – who claim they were dismissed after taking their concerns to the media last week – also alleged that employees were not issued safety gear such as boots, gloves, masks, and overalls.
They pointed out that this is despite the demanding and dangerous nature of the job, which involves working in bushy, snake-infested terrain.
“There are a lot of snakes here, and still, we don’t get boots. They promised PPE [personal protective equipment], but not everyone got it. And the money we earn is not enough to survive.
“We’ve been promised action many times, but nothing happens. It’s like no one is listening,” said Haneb.
Following their initial interview, the men informed Namibian Sun that they were allegedly dismissed after speaking to the media and that one of them reportedly attempted suicide shortly afterwards.
According to them, the company also dismissed three other workers, and the situation was reported to the labour ministry.
Workers also accused the site supervisor, a Botswana national, of operating without a valid work permit and of allegedly intimidating staff who spoke out.
Fixed monthly salary
Tulinavo managing member Ndangi Munenguni last week said the workers agreed to a fixed monthly salary of N$2 600.
He attributed the low hourly breakdown to the flexible nature of the work, explaining that construction at the airport is often delayed due to flight schedules and weather interruptions.
“We’re not paying per hour,” he explained. “We agreed to a flat monthly rate because working hours vary a lot on this site.”
Munenguni also denied claims that workers were not issued protective gear, saying all employees were issued with PPE, including overalls, boots, helmets, goggles, gloves and reflectors.
He added that some workers may have sold their gear or simply failed to wear it.
“We buy PPE regularly. I’ve seen some guys working without it, but we provided it. Maybe they’re not wearing it on purpose,” he said.
Munenguni further denied that the workers who spoke to the media had been permanently let go. He said they were asked to temporarily stop working while their complaints were being addressed.
“It’s not like we told them to go forever,” he said. “They were asked to wait while the matter is being resolved.”
Workers' rights
However, workers told Namibian Sun that the company allegedly misled them regarding wages, overtime and other entitlements.
They further accused the site manager of altering documents by allegedly removing terms such as transport allowances and editing clauses about payment terms.
Others raised concerns about allegedly being short-changed for overtime work or not receiving payment on time.
“When it rains, we’re sent home and only paid for the hours we worked before it started, even if we showed up ready for a full day.
“We also work on public holidays but aren’t always compensated correctly,” said one worker.
Another added: “The site manager can be persuasive when it comes to pushing for overtime, but when it comes to actual payment, the hours are removed or not recorded.”
Some workers also expressed concern about the use of e-wallets for salary payments, stating that transfers are sometimes made to incorrect numbers or delayed beyond the contractually agreed-upon payment date.
“The contract says we should be paid by the 6th of every month, but sometimes we only get paid on the 12th or later,” one worker alleged.
Namibia Airports Company (NAC) supervisor at Rundu Airport, Martin Matengu, said the contractor is responsible for paying the workers.
“Safety is our concern as the client. We conduct checks and respond to safety complaints raised on site,” Matengu said.
Tulinavo Construction holds a contract to erect a fence around the Rundu Airport.
Two of the workers, Anthony Haneb and Abisai Shikalepo – who claim they were dismissed after taking their concerns to the media last week – also alleged that employees were not issued safety gear such as boots, gloves, masks, and overalls.
They pointed out that this is despite the demanding and dangerous nature of the job, which involves working in bushy, snake-infested terrain.
“There are a lot of snakes here, and still, we don’t get boots. They promised PPE [personal protective equipment], but not everyone got it. And the money we earn is not enough to survive.
“We’ve been promised action many times, but nothing happens. It’s like no one is listening,” said Haneb.
Following their initial interview, the men informed Namibian Sun that they were allegedly dismissed after speaking to the media and that one of them reportedly attempted suicide shortly afterwards.
According to them, the company also dismissed three other workers, and the situation was reported to the labour ministry.
Workers also accused the site supervisor, a Botswana national, of operating without a valid work permit and of allegedly intimidating staff who spoke out.
Fixed monthly salary
Tulinavo managing member Ndangi Munenguni last week said the workers agreed to a fixed monthly salary of N$2 600.
He attributed the low hourly breakdown to the flexible nature of the work, explaining that construction at the airport is often delayed due to flight schedules and weather interruptions.
“We’re not paying per hour,” he explained. “We agreed to a flat monthly rate because working hours vary a lot on this site.”
Munenguni also denied claims that workers were not issued protective gear, saying all employees were issued with PPE, including overalls, boots, helmets, goggles, gloves and reflectors.
He added that some workers may have sold their gear or simply failed to wear it.
“We buy PPE regularly. I’ve seen some guys working without it, but we provided it. Maybe they’re not wearing it on purpose,” he said.
Munenguni further denied that the workers who spoke to the media had been permanently let go. He said they were asked to temporarily stop working while their complaints were being addressed.
“It’s not like we told them to go forever,” he said. “They were asked to wait while the matter is being resolved.”
Workers' rights
However, workers told Namibian Sun that the company allegedly misled them regarding wages, overtime and other entitlements.
They further accused the site manager of altering documents by allegedly removing terms such as transport allowances and editing clauses about payment terms.
Others raised concerns about allegedly being short-changed for overtime work or not receiving payment on time.
“When it rains, we’re sent home and only paid for the hours we worked before it started, even if we showed up ready for a full day.
“We also work on public holidays but aren’t always compensated correctly,” said one worker.
Another added: “The site manager can be persuasive when it comes to pushing for overtime, but when it comes to actual payment, the hours are removed or not recorded.”
Some workers also expressed concern about the use of e-wallets for salary payments, stating that transfers are sometimes made to incorrect numbers or delayed beyond the contractually agreed-upon payment date.
“The contract says we should be paid by the 6th of every month, but sometimes we only get paid on the 12th or later,” one worker alleged.
Namibia Airports Company (NAC) supervisor at Rundu Airport, Martin Matengu, said the contractor is responsible for paying the workers.
“Safety is our concern as the client. We conduct checks and respond to safety complaints raised on site,” Matengu said.
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