Bonus row at TransNamibCash-strapped parastatal can''t pay bonuses TransNamib workers are up in arms after they were informed that there will be no customary Christmas bonuses this year. Workers at the rail parastatal threatened to down tools after they were informed that the company will not pay them their customary year-end bonuses.An internal memo sent out to employees on Tuesday stated that November salaries would be paid late too.
However, that was resolved yesterday after the board and management held an emergency meeting and the company promised to pay the workers tomorrow.
TransNamib employees normally receive their salaries on the 25th of each month.
The cash-strapped company will not be in a position to pay bonuses this week due to a precarious financial situation, but might do so at a later stage, Namibian Sun understands.
Irate workers yesterday complained that they had already made holiday plans and were looking forward to receiving their year-end bonuses. “You cannot come and notify me today, two days before payday, that I won''t be getting paid,” said a worker who requested anonymity.
“We want them to have an emergency meeting right now with all affected entities so that they can rectify the issue,” he said.
An official from the TransNamib human resources department, Carsia Husselmann, said they had received communication from the board indicating that the company won''t be able to honour bonus payments this week.
The same email also informed all employees to meet outside the company''s headquarters for an information session yesterday.
“We confirmed that we are getting paid on Friday but we won''t get our bonus and they cannot guarantee us whether the bonus will be paid or not,” she said.
TransNamib workers have signed up for a package that guarantees a year-end bonus.
Another employee said they would go on strike if the company did not give them a satisfactory response about their bonus.
“We are giving them 24 hours or else the trains will stop and it will be a loss for the company,” she said. She added that the company experienced a similar strike a year ago and the production loss amounted to millions.
“There was a strike that lasted four days and the company lost up to N$2 million. The company had to bribe their drivers to stop the strike,” she said.
The employees further accused the board and management of mismanaging the company funds.
Simon Gariseb, 75, who has worked for TransNamib for the past 39 years, said he was disappointed by the board.
“I''m heartbroken, the company mafias are eating our money,” he said. Karl Fisch, a fuel attendant, also expressed his frustration at the board for not paying them their
bonus.
“Even if they have to cut their salaries they must pay our bonus,” said Fisch.
Attempts to reach board chairperson Paul Smit and acting CEO Hippy Tjivikua were unsuccessful.
SHONA NGAVA