The Chairperson of the ||Kharas Regional Council, Josef Isaacks, has accused Shanxi Construction and Investment Group of irregularly hiring and firing workers at will.

The company is currently constructing the N$110 million Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre.

Isaacks visited the site after hearing that 18 new recruits were imported while more than 10 local workers' contracts are expected to be terminated at the end of this month.

However, upon arrival, security guards blocked entry to the premises for the Regional Council Chairperson, who is also the Keetmanshoop Urban Councillor.

Workers who were inside the premises forced the gates open, which allowed the councillor entry onto the premises.

"This young man standing here must leave a legacy because he built and constructed this site. This is a historical project. This is a project that is going to transfer knowledge to our people across the country and so on. We don't want a bad reputation for this building, but when push comes to shove, then we will be left with no other options," Isaacks threatened.

Currently, about 150 workers are working on the project, but those who spoke to our news team say they are being victimised for speaking out against poor working conditions and unfair dismissals of their co-workers. 

Workers say, on average, about four contracts are terminated each month.

"I have been working here from January 14th up to today. My contract was terminated today without any reason. These Chinese are firing people every day here."

"Here in Keetmans, there are a lot of unemployed people that are lying here, but they are bringing people in from the north and I cannot talk about those things. If I talk about those things, they are threatening me with my contract. It's a problem I have."

"The safety rep that was on duty was fired because of complaining too much and taking our complaints ahead to the management. He has been fired. There is a second safety rep that has been recruited."

When contacted for comment, the site coordinator, Mike Chan, told nbc News that the company follows labour law and has the authority to terminate contracts of non-performing employees.

First things first, the contract has finished. We have the right to decide if we renew or not. It's our company right. Nobody can force us to decide if we are going to renew or not. I have already consulted with the people. It's not a compulsory or an obligation for us to renew for all people."

The site engineer, Aachen Roberts, says that incidents such as this have the potential to derail the progress of the project, which he says is almost 45% complete.

"I wish and trust that this is resolved. The guys go back to work and then we continue with our progress as we intend to try and finish this project in the required time."

The vocational training centre, which is expected to be completed by August next year, will accommodate 650 students.