Windhoek
Employees of Namibia Road Products and Services are up in arms after their employer reportedly failed to pay them for two consecutive months, leaving the workers and their dependents in a state of despondency.
The manager of Namibia Road Products and Services, Alwyn Van Straten, confirmed on Tuesday that the workers have not been paid, saying that “the company is insolvent and their case has been referred to the High Court of Namibia on Friday.”
He said although he does not know what exactly may transpire in court, he believes the company may be liquidated.
Employees who spoke to New Era on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said on Monday that they have not received their salaries since July and this has adversely affected them. “They keep telling us we will get our pay tomorrow and when tomorrow comes they tell us again to wait until tomorrow,” said a 35-year-old employee of the seemingly cash-strapped firm.
“They didn’t give us any reasons, but we heard that they don’t have enough money,” said another worker, aged 32. Although they could not say how many people are affected by this situation the two men said, “We are many.”
One said half of the organisation’s workforce has been affected. “It’s heavy. It affected me so much. We waited and the problem is they are not telling us anything. We are struggling a lot,” he said.
Another worker, who did not want to be named, said, “I have accounts that are not settled. Now, I don’t have anything to say or do when the people ask me for their money. Even at home my family is suffering, because I cannot give them anything.”
When New Era contacted Namibia Road Products and Services for further information, a source in the human resources department confirmed that their workers have not been paid for two months.