Namibia Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU) Commander in Chief Petersen Kambinda has said employees who force their workers to get vaccinated or risk losing their jobs are violating their human rights.

Kambinda made the remarks on Thursday during a press conference that took place at the union’s head office in Windhoek.

The union was formed a month ago and represents truck drivers and employees in the transport and logistic industry.

He said the union has noted with great concern that there are employers giving employees deadlines for them to be vaccinated or lose their jobs. Those doing so should stop with immediate effect because it is a violation of human rights and not in line with the Labour Act and Namibia’s constitution, he said.

“No employees must lose their jobs because of refusal to be vaccinated or not being vaccinated by a so-called deadline,” said Kambinda.

He also took issue with companies in the transport sector forcing drivers to drive long hours without resting, as some drive between 16 to 18 hours, causing them to become fatigued, which sometimes leads to accidents on the roads.

‘The majority of companies also pay their drivers based on the number of kilometres they have driven, causing the drivers to ‘chase kilometres’ to get a better salary. This situation cannot continue, employees must be paid basic salaries and work hours that comply with the labour act,” stated Kambinda.

Approached for comment on the vaccination requirement, Petrina Nghidengwa who is the Deputy Director of Occupational Health and Safety in the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, said the labour act makes provision for employers to ensure a safe environment in their workplaces, but at the same time employees also have their rights.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency