Lift curfew, save jobs - Manwu
Jobs in the fuel industry are at risk unless the night curfew is lifted, a trade union says.
17 February 2021 | Labour
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
A number of workers may lose their jobs or face pay cuts in the fuel industry if President Hage Geingob does not lift the national curfew at the next Covid-19 address.
This is according to Metal Allied Namibian Workers Union (Manwu) Kavango East coordinator, Richard Musohwa, who is pleading with government to remove the 22:00 to 05:00 curfew in order to save their members' jobs.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Musohwa said thus far, fuel station employers have been paying their workers full salaries, but are now talking of possible job or salary cuts.
“There are seven hours workers are being paid for currently but they do not work for it and employers in the negotiations are now busy challenging that,” Musohwa said.
“If the curfew will not be lifted from 24 February, the workers might face retrenchments or their salaries will be reduced.
“Therefore, we appeal to the president when he releases the new set of regulations to categorise the fuel industry as an essential service.”
Job losses
Musohwa said between three and five employees will lose their jobs at various service stations.
He also used the opportunity to thank employers who have been paying their workers full salaries despite the negative impact the curfew has on their businesses.
Government enacted the national curfew as one of the measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. By yesterday, Namibia reported a cumulative number of 36 225 confirmed cases and 389 fatalities.
[email protected]
RUNDU
A number of workers may lose their jobs or face pay cuts in the fuel industry if President Hage Geingob does not lift the national curfew at the next Covid-19 address.
This is according to Metal Allied Namibian Workers Union (Manwu) Kavango East coordinator, Richard Musohwa, who is pleading with government to remove the 22:00 to 05:00 curfew in order to save their members' jobs.
Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Musohwa said thus far, fuel station employers have been paying their workers full salaries, but are now talking of possible job or salary cuts.
“There are seven hours workers are being paid for currently but they do not work for it and employers in the negotiations are now busy challenging that,” Musohwa said.
“If the curfew will not be lifted from 24 February, the workers might face retrenchments or their salaries will be reduced.
“Therefore, we appeal to the president when he releases the new set of regulations to categorise the fuel industry as an essential service.”
Job losses
Musohwa said between three and five employees will lose their jobs at various service stations.
He also used the opportunity to thank employers who have been paying their workers full salaries despite the negative impact the curfew has on their businesses.
Government enacted the national curfew as one of the measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. By yesterday, Namibia reported a cumulative number of 36 225 confirmed cases and 389 fatalities.
[email protected]
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