About 300 B2Gold workers are on suspension after failing to work late shifts after the continuous operation and exemption permits for the mine expired. 

The B2Gold Mine Workers Union branch has complained of expired continuous operation and exemption permits, which make it unlawful for employees to work night shifts.

As per instructions from the union's executive leadership at the mine, mining and processing plant department employees have only been working until 16H30 since October 1.

They were suspended after the company's permits were renewed.

The Chairperson of the MUN B2Gold branch, Jason Uiseb, says the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation backdated the renewed permits from 1 June last year.

This, Uiseb says, has put the workers in a very unfortunate position.

The Mine, according to its spokesperson and board chairman, Dr Leake Hangala, says the matter will be handled in accordance with the Disciplinary Code signed by both parties.

Hangala believes it is a violation for employees to work only until 16H30.

Operations, however, continue at the Otjikoto mine, as the mine's MUN chairperson says the company has brought in contract workers.

After queries made to the Minister, the Acting Executive Director in the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creations says the Ministry is analyzing the matter before reverting to the union.

Employees at B2Gold and Cheetah Cement will be staging a joint demonstration this week in protest, at what they term Minister Utoni Nujoma's failure to address the issue.