OTJOZONDJUPA governor Otto Ipinge has expressed concern over the plight of some farm workers who owe more money than they earn.
“I sometimes want to cry for them. They are suffering; they are in a minus, owing more money than they earn per month. This pains me a lot, and our labour inspectors need to do something about the situation,” he said on Monday.
Ipinge was addressing four labour inspectors from Otjiwarongo and Okahandja, who accepted his invitation to discuss these concerns.
He said some farm workers earn N$1 000 per month, but owe N$2 000 for food they took on credit from their employers’ shops.
The governor then asked the labour inspectors to tackle all labour concerns head-on without fear or favour.
He proposed that a team comprising himself, Otjozondjupa Regional Council officials and labour inspectors visit some of these farm workers in the next month.
Ipinge also suggested that a ministry of labour sub-office be established in the Kalkfeld and Hochfeld areas as the majority of farm workers there have problems, and have no money for transport to Otjiwarongo to report their grievances.
The chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Julius Neumbo, said his office had recorded similar labour concerns from farm workers, and he had experienced difficulties in getting hold of a labour inspector in the Otjiwarongo constituency.
“I have proof that some farm workers have never handled their salaries. Each month, all their salaries go to pay debts but they still remain with a deficit because they earn very little and have accumulated too much debt on food from their employers’ shops,” he charged.
Neumbo also called for an urgent intervention from the ministry of labour.
Henry Ndeunyema from the Okahandja labour office said he was aware of the plight of the farm workers.
He blamed the employers for the predicament, saying the Namibian Labour Act is clear on the matter as it only allows less than one-third of the salary of any employee to be deducted to pay debts, not the whole salary.
Ndeunyema then asked Ipinge to always inform him once he comes across such illegal labour practices.
Otjiwarongo labour inspector Linekela Nghiyaamene also asked the governor to alert his office of such malpractices.
– Nampa
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