By Staff Reporter
KEETMANSHOOP – The agriculture ministry says it is hoping that Salini and its workers “genuinely address and resolve the issue of grievances, at hand, amicably and speedily.”
Workers at the construction site of the dam downed tools on Monday this week, demanding better health and safety measures from Salini SpA, which is building the dam.
“Workers will go to work daily, but will refrain from providing their services until the differences with their employer are resolved,” said Justina Jonas, the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers’ Union (Manwu) general secretary.
Manwu says what is happening at Neckartal is a work stoppage and not a strike. Workers have for months repeatedly complained about inadequate health and safety standards at the construction site. The agriculture minister John Mutorwa says the ministry only learnt of the work stoppage through the media.
Mutorwa nevertheless says the ministry would like to believe that the “strike or work stoppage has been organised and, indeed is being conducted, in strict compliance with the appropriate provisions of Namibia’s applicable and relevant labour laws, administered by and through Namibia’s labour and social welfare ministry.”
A marathon meeting commenced on Monday and continued on Tuesday between Salini SpA, Manwu, workers’ representatives, the labour ministry and representatives of the //Kharas Regional Governor’s office.
Special Advisor to the Governor, Lucia Basson, on Monday told Nampa that she supports the workers’ demands, but wanted them to exercise a bit of patience.
“Give the employer a chance to solve all the problems properly,” she said. The workers have charged that they are forced to work under the scorching sun for up to 10 hours a day without any cold water provided on site.
They said the water that they use is stored in plastic tanks and is usually boiling-hot by midday. The workers also demanded shade structures under which to rest and consume their food during lunch breaks.
“The Italian supervisors eat and drink in their air-conditioned canteens while we suffer every day,” a worker said on Monday.
Jonas said the company has shown disrespect towards workers and are ignoring their requests.
“They have had enough time to solve workers’ demands. These people risk their lives and sit among snakes and scorpions in the hot sun every day,” the unionist lamented.
A number of female workers have also laid complaints of sexual harassment with Manwu.
Most of these women said they fear showing their faces or revealing their names, something which has prompted Manwu to call for the establishment of a committee to deal specifically with the issue.
The women were asked to forward letters detailing their experiences to the committee.
General complaints of low salaries, nepotism, favouritism, racism and incompetence against some managers were also raised.
Mamwu shop stewards at the site said they have tried to engage the company for the last seven months to find solutions to the workers’ grievances – but all their efforts have been in vain.
Over 300 workers are involved in the work stoppage.
No comment was forthcoming from management as yet.
– Additional Reporting by Nampa