Members of the Namibia Public Security and Allied Workers Union handed over a petition to the Ministry of Justice and Labor Relations at Katima Mulilo calling for improved employment conditions for security guards.

Security guards from Nahole Security Services, Shilimela Security, Njangula Security, BM Security, Splash Security, and Chief Nangolo Security, participated in a demonstration.

They are demanding that security companies comply with the N$16.00 per hour minimum wage, as gazetted by the government and effective from January this year. 

Security guards also called for the inspection of all security companies, with particular focus on employees' working conditions.

"We need to be paid public holidays and Sundays. We are requesting the tender board not to award the tenders to the security companies that are tendering low-priced rates; that is corruption. We need the ministry to pay the security companies according to the current government gazette; we don't want fly-by-night security companies."

The guards raised concerns about the lack of proper uniforms and delayed salaries, urging businesses to provide the required uniforms and to pay workers on the agreed dates, without fail.

"We need the labour inspector to have a meeting with the following offices; all the mentioned points need to be addressed as soon as possible in the Zambezi region tender board, procurement office, regional office and government offices."

The petition was received by the Acting Head of Administration at the Ministry's regional office, Lorna Shalyefu, who promised to pass it on to the relevant office.