Taxman under fire from workers
Disgruntled workers claim they were assured that they would receive first preference, but are now expected to compete for jobs with outsiders.
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
The recruitment policy of the newly established Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has been thrust into the spotlight following claims of nepotism and exclusion of those who worked for the Inland Revenue department, which is now being phased out.
Disgruntled workers who contacted Namibian Sun claim they were assured that they would receive first preference when NamRA starts operating, but are now expected to compete for jobs with outsiders.
Some have allegedly also been told that they will be transferred to other ministries if they do not make the cut.
In a grievance seen by Namibian Sun, employees alleged that - among other things – salary notches were not shared with the various unions representing workers; jobs at the agency are promised to outsiders who were not part of the finance ministry despite the issue of secondment, and there is a difference in the NamRA structure for seconded employees and permanent employees.
“Employees also said secondments contravened Article 141 of the constitution and that interviews for positions at the agency would never be fair. There were further rumours that some people are promised jobs and that most are from outside the ministry of finance,” the grievance read.
No communication
Workers also alleged that new employees are dictating how business is conducted at the agency.
“Employees of Customs and Inland were refused a salary increment because everybody was to be transferred to NamRA, but now the people who have joined the Customs team recently are the ones dictating,” the grievance read.
They also claim that experienced workers were seconded “only to be put through interviews with external candidates”.
“There is no communication with the current workers; things are just imposed us regardless of how it affects us. The union is also being kept in the dark about the salary structure because the agency refuses to make it available,” the employees lamented.
According to the employees, the task team that spearheaded the transition “all got positions”.
No comment
NamRA commissioner Sam Shivute refused to comment when approached.
“Kindly note that I do not communicate with NamRA staff through the media,” he said.
The agency was launched in April. Speaking at its launch, President Hage Geingob said Namibia has done well using public revenue to improve education, healthcare and infrastructure development.
“The public expects NamRA to be an exemplary institution that will foster a fine balance between economic growth and trade functions, and provide tax services to all taxpayers,” he said.
WINDHOEK
The recruitment policy of the newly established Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has been thrust into the spotlight following claims of nepotism and exclusion of those who worked for the Inland Revenue department, which is now being phased out.
Disgruntled workers who contacted Namibian Sun claim they were assured that they would receive first preference when NamRA starts operating, but are now expected to compete for jobs with outsiders.
Some have allegedly also been told that they will be transferred to other ministries if they do not make the cut.
In a grievance seen by Namibian Sun, employees alleged that - among other things – salary notches were not shared with the various unions representing workers; jobs at the agency are promised to outsiders who were not part of the finance ministry despite the issue of secondment, and there is a difference in the NamRA structure for seconded employees and permanent employees.
“Employees also said secondments contravened Article 141 of the constitution and that interviews for positions at the agency would never be fair. There were further rumours that some people are promised jobs and that most are from outside the ministry of finance,” the grievance read.
No communication
Workers also alleged that new employees are dictating how business is conducted at the agency.
“Employees of Customs and Inland were refused a salary increment because everybody was to be transferred to NamRA, but now the people who have joined the Customs team recently are the ones dictating,” the grievance read.
They also claim that experienced workers were seconded “only to be put through interviews with external candidates”.
“There is no communication with the current workers; things are just imposed us regardless of how it affects us. The union is also being kept in the dark about the salary structure because the agency refuses to make it available,” the employees lamented.
According to the employees, the task team that spearheaded the transition “all got positions”.
No comment
NamRA commissioner Sam Shivute refused to comment when approached.
“Kindly note that I do not communicate with NamRA staff through the media,” he said.
The agency was launched in April. Speaking at its launch, President Hage Geingob said Namibia has done well using public revenue to improve education, healthcare and infrastructure development.
“The public expects NamRA to be an exemplary institution that will foster a fine balance between economic growth and trade functions, and provide tax services to all taxpayers,” he said.
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