Breakthrough in security, construction workers’ wages

Government has gazetted new minimum wages for workers in various sectors, with a security guard set to earn N$140.91 per 12-hour shift, a brickmaker N$24.39 and a labourer N$18.72 per hour.

This is according to a collective agreement between the labour ministry, the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) and the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (Manwu).

Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) president Mahongora Kavihua commended the move but warned it means nothing until fully implemented.

“It looks far better than the national minimum wage. The concern remains implementation and compliance – that is the most important thing we suffer with,” he said.

“The weaknesses of the inspectors. If we do not have proper compliance mechanisms, then all the agreements we put in place will be difficult to enforce and not good for our workers. We need to ensure that the construction industry is Namibianised.”

Kavihua also emphasised: “We need to move away from giving construction tenders to foreigners and ensure that the issue of compliance becomes a requirement for landing a tender."

He further underlined that Namibians should have "a stake in all construction companies to make sure the resources circulate in the economy."

The new gazetted wages come a week after the announcement of the national minimum wage of N$18 per hour, which was met with an outcry by some local companies, who claim the new national minimum wage, which amounts to roughly N$3 117 a month, would force them to close shop.

Earning stipulations

A government gazette published last Thursday further stipulates that a semi-skilled painter should earn no less than N$21.44 per hour and an artisan painter no less than N$29.98 per hour.

A semi-skilled tiler or carpet layer should earn no less than N$23.26 per hour and an artisan tiler or carpet layer no less than N$33.20.

A semi-skilled plumber should be paid no less than N$24.94 per hour and an artisan plumber no less than N$37.80 per hour, while a semi-skilled electrician should take home no less than N$27.30 and an artisan electrician no less than N$39.52.

A welder should be paid no less than $23.54, a semi-skilled joiner no less than N$28.58 and an artisan joiner no less than N$44.40.

A semi-skilled bricklayer and plasterer would be earning no less than N$24.66 and an artisan no less than N$37.81.

CIF CEO Bärbel Kirchner said: “For many years, the construction sector successfully negotiated its minimum wage payable as well as minimum employment conditions. We feel that it is important that the conditions of the respective sectors are taken into consideration.”

She added: “The construction sector is very different and wages and employment conditions need to be suitably aligned with work requirements. Should the entry-level pay be the same for a domestic worker, farm worker, construction labourer or security guard? They all work under different circumstances, and I do not think that this is taken into account with a national minimum wage.”

Industry standards

The gazetted wages also stipulate that minimum living-away allowances are to be calculated at 12% of the employee’s hourly wage for the entire duration of the agreement, inclusive of any overtime or Sunday work.

Employers are required to provide accommodation that conforms to generally accepted industry standards. This includes, at a minimum, a tent of good quality for short-term contracts, ablution facilities and access to water.

The gazette also stipulates a service allowance to be paid to every employee equal to 150 hours of his or her wages, which will be paid as part of the December remuneration.

This allowance will be calculated pro-rata for every fully worked month the employee was in service during that specific year.

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