Opuwo service station workers are up in arms over their working conditions, which they described as unbearable and “slave-like”.

Their complaints have since resulted in the dismissal of their supervisor, Stetson Sheimi, who is accused of leaking information to the media about his colleagues’ working conditions.

The employees, who spoke under anonymity, are accusing the service station management of working them to the bone for a mere salary of N$1 000 per month.

The employees claim to work 10 hours daily without a lunch break, and they are forced to work continuously throughout the year without holidays. 

“The salary is very little, and most of us have rent to pay every month and children to take care of. What is very painful is that we work very hard to generate a lot of profit that we see at the end of every day but we are still underpaid. 

According to the employees, despite working long hours, they are not furnished with their monthly payslips to reflect and detail hourly rates.

The workers said they keep asking for a salary increase from management but they only get responses that if they are not happy with their salaries, they are free to leave – and they should let those who are happy with the N$1 000 to stay behind.

The disgruntled employees claim they were not provided with proper working attire for them to work night shifts and in the cold. 

After the employees, through Sheimi, complained of the unfavourable night conditions, the service station, which operated as a 24-hour business, now closes its doors at 22h00.

Responding to the allegations, Erelens Awene, owner of the service station, said he is not aware of the allegations made by his workers. He referred queries to the manager. 

The payroll administrator of the service station, Maria Angula instead questioned how the publication got its hand on the information pertaining to the allegations made by the disgruntled employees.

The labour ministry declined to comment on the matter but instead referred this publication to the Opuwo service station. 

- taimihaihambo2000@gmail.com