C.I.S guards go for months without pay

By Hileni Nembwaya
MORE than 100 secu­rity guards of C.I.S Security Services, who were demonstrating at Oshakati demanding their monthly wages, claimed to be working in harsh conditions with their wages having been delayed for several months.
The guards who many of them are deployed at remote areas and employed as unarmed security guards told Confidente that they have been working for months now without receiving a cent from their employer.
C.I.S Security Services is a company owned by business­man and Swapo councillor for Sibbinda constituency, Igna­tius Chunga. The company has lucrative tenders with various Government hospitals, clinics and schools in many parts of the country.
“We do not get our salaries when we are supposed to get it and for many months we go un­paid with no reasons. How can we survive and feed our families as they all rely on the income that we earn? Some of us have not been paid for about eight months (sic),” said Josua Nghikwetepo.
The guards further described their working conditions as un­bearable for many, especially those in remote areas, saying that it is dangerous and unsanitary for them to conduct their duties.
Martha Shimwetheleni, one the protesting guards said that the company is not complying with the stipulated minimum wage of N$6.75 per hour; how­ever the company uses its own method of payment.
“We want the company to tell us the truth, when they are going to pay us? We want our money. Every time we enquire about our money, they tell us to go ask our families and they are always de­ducting money from our salaries without our consent. We are be­ing mistreated and threatened by our employer,” said Shimweth­eleni.
The guards furthermore threatened their employer with a prolonged demonstration if their demands are not met by next month.
Elvis Masiye, C.I.S supervisor for Omusati region denied the allegations saying that there were some confusions regarding the pay date, however the matter has now been rectified.
“Our guards receive their monthly wages on the 15th of each month. Those allegations are false because we pay our em­ployees on time, every month and they all have uniforms,” said Masiye.
Several efforts to get comment from Chunga proved futile as he was unreachable on his mobile phones.