Some workers of the government's green scheme, the Orange River Irrigation Project (ORIP) at Aussenkehr, have voiced frustrations over being excluded from the government pension, GIPF.

Some workers are members of the GIPF, while others are not, leading the workers to claim discrimination against them.

They asserted their benefits as members of the Orion Pension are not even increasing.

Moreover, the workers voiced concerns over the meagre transportation and rent allowances.

The workers also took issue with government houses standing unoccupied while they were living in reed houses.

In response, acting farm manager Paulus Mungoba said that because of a dispute with the contractor who built the houses, they could not be allocated to workers.

However, the dispute has been resolved, and houses will be soon allocated to them.

The ORIP acting manager commented on the workers' concerns.

"It's simply a matter of people informing each other that some individuals are receiving substantial income, without realising that while this may be true, the contributions vary and are also included in the salary package. You might say you want to be at GIPF, but will you be able to pay that percentage GIPF is asking from your salary to get the pension? That's the issue we need to check. If yes, then even I have no concern for them joining GIPF."

Mungoba said the workers receive transport and rent allowances based on the employment contracts they signed, adding some of them stay in company houses at no cost.