Exploitation driven by need

Just the other day Namibian workers were united in celebrating Worker's Day, which is observed across the entire world. Workers put up brave faces in a rare show of unity to celebrate their achievements. The plight of workers however, is key to any country and Namibia is no exception to this rule. Without a dedicated workforce, our economy would be in ruins. “There is a saying, 'without labour nothing prospers.' As we continue down the road towards economic prosperity, it is you – the workers – whose labour will drive Namibia's prosperity,” President Hage Geingob was quoted telling the Namibian workers on May Day at Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region. It should be noted that the plight of workers should not be allowed to play second fiddle to that of the employer/s. Workers should be given the respect they deserve if we indeed are serious in seeing a stable and sustainable democracy. The high levels of inequality will continue to beset our society if our economy is still dominated by low-paying service jobs. There are many companies operating in Namibia, who have made an absolute fortune through exploiting their workers, as union bosses complacently watch them wallow in misery with folded arms. It is a sad day when the business executives get the big bucks, while the ordinary workers suffer without any decent earnings to talk of. There are many other factors that tilt the playing field against workers' welfare and this is not only the disgracefully high executive pay. It becomes absolutely ridiculous when executives are allowed to take home millions in salaries, perks and share options, yet workers continue to receive shamefully low wages of less than N$2 000 per month. Is it fair that the workers are expected to rejoice about a N$200 increase in these trying times? And all the while their seniors are grinning in glee all the way to the bank with their six-digit performance bonuses neatly in place? Is it right that workers continue to be exploited because of need? When will they receive the social safety nets they deserve to remove dire “need” from the equation?