The Freedom March Movement in Nkurenkuru has called on ministries at the town to stop giving security tenders to companies that are exploiting their employees.

The Freedom March Movement is a civic organisation based in Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West Region.

The movement made the call together with 28 affected security guards employed by Shilimela Security Services during a demonstration held at Nkurenkuru on Thursday.

Speaking on behalf of the security guards the movement’s chairperson, Modestus Kupembona, said the guards endure a harsh working environment as Shilimela Security Services is in the habit of delaying employees’ payment.

He charged that the security guards have not been paid for over six months now and that they have been working without contracts since 2018.

“The security guards also work on public holidays and weekends without being paid overtime. Female security guards on the other hand are expected to work throughout their pregnancy period with no maternity benefits,” he claimed.

The chairperson called on the regional leadership in Nkurenkuru “to do something and not fold their arms without taking any action”.

He said security companies receive payments from the clients for the services that security guards have rendered but neglect them in the end.

“Owing to the already low pay, these security guards face serious socio-economic challenges such as placing so much emotional burden on their families, which destabilise their life amongst others,” he said.

Kupembona said the security guards are expecting a response from the regional leadership before 11 February or else further steps will be taken.

Nkurenkuru councillor, Fillipus Tenga, who received the petition on behalf of the Governor of the Region, Sirkka Ausiku, assured the guards that their petition will receive attention from the relevant authorities.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency