The National Youth Service security recruits have demanded that the service be liquidated and for government to take it over as they demonstrated over late pay and an array of grievances.

The recruits have been demonstrating in front of the NYS building in Windhoek since Tuesday morning over delayed salaries, lack of transport and working conditions, among other issues.

Liquidation refers to the process of bringing a business to an end and distributing its assets to claimants.  In a petition, read on behalf of the Youth Security Service (YSS) group by Erastus Nghidulika, the disgruntled employees say they have been experiencing delayed payments without any explanation. “We are demanding N$10 per hour by 10 February 2023 as per the contract. We are also demanding that managers, supervisors and drivers be paid on the same day as security guards,” stated Nghidulika. “Most of us are working at the education ministry, but we are underpaid. They are telling us that government is not paying them (NYS), but we [are] tending government premises. It is confusing,” said a disappointed Johnna Shilongo, one of the security guards.

YSS is a subsidiary of the NYS.

Human resource executive at NYS Wilhelm Kafidi said management could not allow or recommend liquidation.  “You can either approach the board or court to apply for NYS and YSS to be liquidated,” he advised.

Kafidi added: “The matter of minimum wage has already been concluded through a settlement agreement that was signed between shop stewards [of Namibia Independent Security Union] and management. In terms of the agreement, the rates adjustment is envisaged to take effect on 1 April 2023, subject to clients’ acceptance of the proposed rate. Management has been engaging the clients, and we are optimistic about the positive outcome”.

Payment of salaries was changed through consultation from the 10th to the 15th day of each month to allow enough time for revenue collection. 

“Should we change back to the 10th, the situation will be worse than now, therefore, the status quo shall remain,” said Kafidi.

He added that though YSS is wholly owned by NYS, the two are separate entities, and the benefits that apply to NYS employees are not automatically applied to YSS employees.

By lunch yesterday, guards said they were paid their outstanding salaries. - psiririka@nepc.com.na