Nekundi Warns Contractors to Respect Workers’ Rights
Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi has warned contractors working on road rehabilitation projects to comply with Government-prescribed wages and ensure that employees are treated fairly.
Nekundi made the remarks today during the groundbreaking ceremony marking the commencement of the Walvis Bay Road Rehabilitation Project.
The Minister said workers must not be paid below the minimum rates prescribed by Government, stressing that contractors could pay more, but not less.
“There is a certain issue that I cannot compromise on. Employees must be paid not less than what the Government has prescribed. You can give more, but not less.
Anything less, anything less is unacceptable,” Nekundi said.
He also insisted that employees must have written employment contracts and warned against the mistreatment of workers.
“If you mistreat an employee, then I become another animal,” Nekundi said.
Nekundi further called on the Governor to regularly visit project sites and engage directly with workers instead of only interacting with members of the public.
He said leaders should speak to employees because they are the people who experience the challenges and demands of the work firsthand.
“Governor, I want you to come regularly. You can only go back until you see the lowest person,” Nekundi said.
The Minister’s remarks came as Government advances the phased rehabilitation of roads in Walvis Bay through a Memorandum of Agreement involving the Roads Authority, Road Fund Administration and Walvis Bay Municipality.
