Okashana: Forty temporary workers at the Okashana Crop Research Station are still waiting for their payment of N.dollars 108,800 for work completed earlier this year.

According to Namibia Press Agency, team leader Levitikus Simon stated that the workers, who are contracted through the Okashana Rural Development Centre in the Oshikoto Region, finished their tasks of thinning and weeding but have not been paid. "We did the job and when we asked for our money, we were told to contact the Windhoek office and talk to those in charge. We worked and received no payment, this feels like robbery," Simon told Nampa.

Despite the unpaid wages, Simon and 14 other workers have continued with a new project, clearing 6.85 hectares of land for foundation seed production. "I still have not received my money from last time's work but I'm still here because I have a family to feed," he said.

The workers are also calling for a pay increase, arguing that their current wage of N.dollars 17 per hour is too low for the physically demanding de-bushing work.

A representative from the Okashana Crop Research Station, Alfeus Nghishekwa, declined to comment when contacted. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform's public relations officer, Simon Nghipandulwa, however, stated that the ministry is working on resolving the matter. "There were some issues with the workers' payments, but we are currently busy rectifying the issue and payments will be done during the course of the week," he said.