ONGWEDIVA – Security guards at Nord Security company have not received their salaries over the past four months, while others have been receiving only a portion of it since 2019.
These guards are forced to wear old uniforms with holes on the backsides, as the company has not provided any new clothes in a long while.
The workers claim their employer owes them money amounting to over N$17 000 each. This is despite the promise to “address the matter soon”.
Those who spoke to New Era expressed their frustration over unpaid expenses that led to belongings such as furniture being repossessed due to non-payment.
“I have four children, and they all depend on me. Sometimes, we go to bed hungry because I have nothing to provide for them,” said one of the guards.
Another one of the guards said they are compensated for working overtime, and some workers are not allowed to take days off.
Nord Security’s owner Willem Liebenberg confirmed he has not paid some of his employees.
According to him, his company is unable to pay workers on time because some clients do not pay on time.
“I am also in debt. I will try the best I can to pay their outstanding money fully before the end of March,” he said.
The spokesperson of the ministry of labour, Maria Hedimbi, said the ministry has been dealing with complaints by Nord Security employees.
Hedimbi also said the meeting between the ministry and the employer was held on 24 January 2023, where the employer promised to settle the dues on or before the end of February.
“It remains a responsibility of employers to make sure that the salaries of their employees are paid on time unless otherwise agreed by the parties. Should this be agreed, it still needs to be within the parameters of the law,” she added.