Rundu airport construction workers down tools over unpaid wages

Construction workers employed by Tulinavo Investment to build a perimeter fence at Rundu Airport have halted work, citing unpaid salaries and outstanding back pay. Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, the workers alleged they had not received their wages for July, despite contracts requiring payment by the fifth of each month.“We’re heading into the 12th of August, and nothing has been paid,” the workers said. “We have been off the job since last Friday. Even the two supervisors on site have not received full salaries for the past three months – in one of those months they were only paid half," workers alleged further."On top of that, we are still waiting for our back pay, which we were told would be settled on the 15th of August, as agreed with the Ministry of Labour," they added.Delay confirmed When contacted for comment yesterday, Tulinavo Investment managing director Tangi Munenguni acknowledged the delay but said it was an isolated incident, limited to July's payments. “Some people come, they disappear. So these contracts that they signed, we only gave them a two-month contract. Currently, it’s up to us to decide if we are renewing those contracts or not, subject to the fact that we’ve made their payments in full,” Munenguni said. He added that the company intends to finish the project but claimed some workers’ conduct has made it difficult. “With this type of behaviour, it’s very difficult. It’s like we don’t want to finish the job. One day they come to work, tomorrow they say they don’t want, the next day they go to the media. At the end of the day, we are still mandated to finish the project.”Labour disputes Munenguni also referred to earlier challenges on site, including disputes over personal protective equipment (PPE). In June, the company met with ministry of labour officials and the workers’ union after labour inspectors raised concerns about inadequate PPE and wages reportedly below the minimum set by the Labour Act.At the time, some workers were earning N$12.75 per hour, below the regulated standard for construction work in Namibia.The company maintains that PPE issues have since been resolved. “There is no one that did not receive PPE. We buy PPE, but some people disappear,” Munenguni said.The labour ministry confirmed that the back pay issue was discussed with the company, with an agreement that payments would be made by 15 August.

Rundu airport construction workers down tools over unpaid wages

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

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Rundu airport construction workers down tools over unpaid wages

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-19

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