ECN workers protest
The ECN workers have demanded permanent employment and better working conditions.
Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) workers have accused the entity of depriving of them of benefits such as medical aid, pension, housing, leave and overtime pay by keeping them on short-term contracts.
The workers, who took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against their working conditions, said they had been promised after the 2014 general election that their grievances would be dealt with internally.
The workers demanded permanent employment and better working conditions in a petition read by Joseph Nghiilwamo, the ECN branch chairperson of the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu).
In a veiled threat, the workers said although they had no intention of sabotaging their country, they were fully aware that their protests could cripple next month's elections. “Our contracts range between six months and a year and we are deprived of benefits such as medical aid, pension, housing allowance, study leave and overtime, which are provided for in terms of the Public Service Rules.
“We are also aggrieved by the distinction being made between contract, temporary and permanent staff members,” they said.
The workers allege favouritism and nepotism in terms of recruitment, as well as discrimination between permanent and temporary employees. “We have witnessed and reported issues of corruption to relevant authorities but to date no solution was found.
“We are accused of being useless and worth nothing but yet for years our contracts have been extended on the recommendation of management.
“Corruption is the order of the day, tenders, contracts and employment are being offered to family members of managers. Is that fair treatment or transparency?” the petition reads. Chief electoral officer Theo Mujoro said the ECN was working to address this issue.
He said the focus was on developing a new structure for the organisation and to determine whether the workers meet the requirements, such as academic qualifications.
Mujoro said that it was a laborious process which required wide consultation and could not be done overnight.
“I will present the grievances to the commission. I know that the commission will look at these grievances and we will engage with our staff members through Napwu or directly,” he said.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
The workers, who took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against their working conditions, said they had been promised after the 2014 general election that their grievances would be dealt with internally.
The workers demanded permanent employment and better working conditions in a petition read by Joseph Nghiilwamo, the ECN branch chairperson of the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu).
In a veiled threat, the workers said although they had no intention of sabotaging their country, they were fully aware that their protests could cripple next month's elections. “Our contracts range between six months and a year and we are deprived of benefits such as medical aid, pension, housing allowance, study leave and overtime, which are provided for in terms of the Public Service Rules.
“We are also aggrieved by the distinction being made between contract, temporary and permanent staff members,” they said.
The workers allege favouritism and nepotism in terms of recruitment, as well as discrimination between permanent and temporary employees. “We have witnessed and reported issues of corruption to relevant authorities but to date no solution was found.
“We are accused of being useless and worth nothing but yet for years our contracts have been extended on the recommendation of management.
“Corruption is the order of the day, tenders, contracts and employment are being offered to family members of managers. Is that fair treatment or transparency?” the petition reads. Chief electoral officer Theo Mujoro said the ECN was working to address this issue.
He said the focus was on developing a new structure for the organisation and to determine whether the workers meet the requirements, such as academic qualifications.
Mujoro said that it was a laborious process which required wide consultation and could not be done overnight.
“I will present the grievances to the commission. I know that the commission will look at these grievances and we will engage with our staff members through Napwu or directly,” he said.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
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