The fixed-term solid waste workers in the Windhoek municipality believe their pleas are consistently being ignored.

This after nobody was on hand to receive their petition yesterday, despite having made the entity aware of their planned demonstration at the City of Windhoek (CoW) premises.

“They are aware of the demonstration, but now apparently the person who is supposed to receive the petition went to a memorial service. This means the workers’ plight is not considered,” complained the Namibia Civil Servants and Parastatals (NACSPU) acting secretary general, Joseph Garoeb.

“These workers have suffered under this leadership for many years, and have been taken off from permanent employment to become contract workers as the council does not want to carry any financial liability,” he stated.

 Garoeb feels they (CoW) have been enriching themselves by awarding tenders to themselves, or their relatives. 

“Their hands are what transforms and looks after our beautiful city, but they are treated like the trash they are picking up, not recognised, and their valuable inputs to this noble cause are overlooked,” he complained.

One of the workers is Isack Foloshi, who complained that their salary of N$3 300 is too little to sustain themselves and their families.

“With their six-months’ contracts, we are unable to acquire loans or buy anything on credit. With the high cost of living, we are barely surviving on that amount. Our medical aid benefits are only worth N$250, so what can one get from that amount?” he questioned further.

Fellow worker Tomas Petrus said the last time that they handed their petition to the CoW, the latter promised to resolve the matter. However, until now, no action has been taken.

“The same demands we are asking today, are the same demands we have been asking them. Nothing has changed. It seems like they are using us for their own benefit. Imagine, we are working in the sun for long days, and the nature of work can expose us to danger and hazards. But these people don’t even take us for check-ups,” he charged.

The workers thus appealed to the City’s management to cease outsourcing services, especially when there is a well-established internal capacity capable of handling such tasks. 

Additionally, they called for an end to unfair labour practices.

“They are giving tenders to their loved ones at the expense of us workers, which is not good,” Petrus also alleged.

The discontented employees insisted that the City must take serious action against “corrupt managers and senior executives,” emphasising the need for a thorough response to allegations of nepotism and corruption. 

They likewise demanded robust
disciplinary measures against those found responsible.

“This council is run by a self-centred, corrupt, hypocritical and non-coherent leadership. This is in the context that Namibia has signed and ratified Convention No.189: decent work, on four main pillars, being employment conditions, social security, rights at the workplace and social dialogue,” the petition reads.

The employees granted the CoW a five-day window to address their grievances,
otherwise they will escalate the matter to the Ministry of Labour and the Head of State.

Approached for comment, CEO Moses Matyayi promised to speak about the matter. However, it was not received by the time of going to print.  - ashikololo@nepc.com.na