RCC cuts field allowance for labourers
Several labourers employed by the Roads Contractor Company (RCC) have raised concerns over their field allowance being cut by the entity.
According to a group of workers stationed at a RCC site at Ondangwa, they had not been informed about the decision.
They have been receiving a field allowance for years to supplement their salaries when they are stationed at campsites, they said.
“They did not communicate with us on the matter, we only realised this when we checked our payslips,” the disgruntled employees said.
The labourers - some of whom have been employed by the RCC for over 20 years - lamented the fact that they are underpaid and said the move to cut their field allowance has made matters even worse for them.
“This has badly affected us because we already struggle to make ends meet with our current salary."
‘Unnecessary costs’
Acting CEO Maria Nakale defended the decision, saying it was a move to cut “unnecessary costs”.
“These employees are not doing anything at the campsites, and there is no reason for them to be paid field allowance,” she said.
In a telephonic interview with Namibian Sun, Nakale added that the employees were informed about the decision last year, and that the policy is clear.
“The field allowance is not a permanent benefit that employees receive on a monthly basis, but rather one that constantly changes. It only becomes standard for employees who are working at a site for ongoing projects,” she said.
Over the years, employees have been receiving a field allowance whether they were in the field or not.
“It was never my intention to place the employees in such circumstances, but difficult decisions had to be made - including cutting workers’ field allowance,” she said.
Nakale added that a letter of transfer for the labourers had not been approved as they are still waiting for equipment. Only when this equipment arrives can they deploy workers to the ongoing projects.
According to a group of workers stationed at a RCC site at Ondangwa, they had not been informed about the decision.
They have been receiving a field allowance for years to supplement their salaries when they are stationed at campsites, they said.
“They did not communicate with us on the matter, we only realised this when we checked our payslips,” the disgruntled employees said.
The labourers - some of whom have been employed by the RCC for over 20 years - lamented the fact that they are underpaid and said the move to cut their field allowance has made matters even worse for them.
“This has badly affected us because we already struggle to make ends meet with our current salary."
‘Unnecessary costs’
Acting CEO Maria Nakale defended the decision, saying it was a move to cut “unnecessary costs”.
“These employees are not doing anything at the campsites, and there is no reason for them to be paid field allowance,” she said.
In a telephonic interview with Namibian Sun, Nakale added that the employees were informed about the decision last year, and that the policy is clear.
“The field allowance is not a permanent benefit that employees receive on a monthly basis, but rather one that constantly changes. It only becomes standard for employees who are working at a site for ongoing projects,” she said.
Over the years, employees have been receiving a field allowance whether they were in the field or not.
“It was never my intention to place the employees in such circumstances, but difficult decisions had to be made - including cutting workers’ field allowance,” she said.
Nakale added that a letter of transfer for the labourers had not been approved as they are still waiting for equipment. Only when this equipment arrives can they deploy workers to the ongoing projects.
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