Construction industry to come under the hammer

GOVERNMENT is preparing to deal “head-on” with “fly-by-night” subcontractors in the construction industry, Labour Minister Alpheus !Naruseb told the seventh national congress of the Metal and Allied Workers’ Union (Manwu) on Friday.

!Naruseb said investigations by labour inspectors discovered violations of collective agreements among all levels of employers – from big to medium-sized enterprises and small subcontractors. “As the Ministry responsible for extending the agreement to the entire industry, as well as for promotion of stable labour relations and the welfare of the nation’s workforce, we will not tolerate non-compliance with the agreement,” he said.The Minister said a large component of the workforce in the construction industry remained in poverty and Government will investigate the reasons.”Consideration will be given to appointing a wages commission to investigate and make recommendations concerning wages and conditions in some of the lowest-paid sectors, he said.Last year the Ministry of Works said construction companies would in future have to register with the Ministry of Works to obtain a licence that has to be renewed every year.Draft legislation was also sent out, stating that no building contractor may operate unless registered with the Construction Industry Council, and an annual levy must be paid.Before issuing a registration certificate (licence) the envisaged Council will consider whether an applicant has the necessary financial resources, possesses the necessary machinery, vehicles and tools, whether he owns land and whether he has managerial, professional and technical personnel.If the contractor wants to register as an individual, his qualifications and skills will be scrutinised.Failure to renew the annual registration or licence or contravening any provisions of the draft legislation will be punishable by a fine of N$20 000 and a two-year prison term.In the case of a continuing offence, the guilty party will have to pay N$2 000 for each day during which the offence continues.”As the Ministry responsible for extending the agreement to the entire industry, as well as for promotion of stable labour relations and the welfare of the nation’s workforce, we will not tolerate non-compliance with the agreement,” he said.The Minister said a large component of the workforce in the construction industry remained in poverty and Government will investigate the reasons.”Consideration will be given to appointing a wages commission to investigate and make recommendations concerning wages and conditions in some of the lowest-paid sectors, he said.Last year the Ministry of Works said construction companies would in future have to register with the Ministry of Works to obtain a licence that has to be renewed every year.Draft legislation was also sent out, stating that no building contractor may operate unless registered with the Construction Industry Council, and an annual levy must be paid. Before issuing a registration certificate (licence) the envisaged Council will consider whether an applicant has the necessary financial resources, possesses the necessary machinery, vehicles and tools, whether he owns land and whether he has managerial, professional and technical personnel.If the contractor wants to register as an individual, his qualifications and skills will be scrutinised.Failure to renew the annual registration or licence or contravening any provisions of the draft legislation will be punishable by a fine of N$20 000 and a two-year prison term.In the case of a continuing offence, the guilty party will have to pay N$2 000 for each day during which the offence continues.