Lobito - The Benguela District Court has issued a word of caution to the demining NGO Halo Trust, ordering it to reintegrate more than 100 dismissed workers within thirty days or face criminal charges, ANGOP learned on Saturday.
The workers, who were hired by Halo Trust in 2017, had their contracts terminated on 19 August 2024, when the NGO decided to reduce its staff.
In an interview with Lobito Radio, the workers' lawyer, Inácio Neves, said that Halo Trust had been notified on 19 December 2024, but had not yet complied with the court's decision.
"There was no alternative but to request the certificate from the Public Prosecutor's Office so that a criminal case could be opened," the lawyer said.
"We have been in contact with the management of the NGO, through their lawyer, so that we can reach a common point that will put an end to this dispute, but until now we continue to push for the process to be opened," the lawyer said.
The Halo Trust representative, Luciana João, confirmed that they had received last year's court ruling for the reintegration of the sappers.
"We have filed an appeal, which is still being analyzed by the court, and we cannot give any further details so as not to interfere in the process," she said.
The institution's representative said that the NGO was committed to resolving the situation as soon as possible, was in contact with all the parties involved and would continue to work to find a solution.
The workers were told that there would be recruitment for new projects and that the company intended to hire other people with no experience.
In response, Luciana João said that Halo Trust recognises the competence of the workers and understands their concerns, but argues that it is a not-for-profit NGO and that the conflicts that have arisen in various parts of the world have contributed to the reduction of projects in Angola.
"This situation makes it impossible to maintain the robust team we had before, hence the ongoing process," she explained.
However, Luiana João said that Halo Trust will continue with its demining work, but will have to make some adjustments to its staff.
"Last year, the NGO cleared five million square metres of mines and we will continue to work in the provinces of Huíla, Cuando, Cubango and Bié, together with the Angolan government and partners who continue to donate to us," she said.
The spokesperson said that the provinces of Cuando, Cubango and Bié remain a major concern at this time.
"The Angolan government has been exemplary in demining the country, mainly because it is the one that finances the most. What worries us is the nature of the mines spread across the territory. Not only are they diverse and complex, but they have no defined standard, which is why they are taking so long to clear," she said.
Halo Trust is a non-profit NGO dedicated to mine and unexploded ordnance clearance. In 2024, it will celebrate 30 years of work in Angola.
Over these three decades, the organisation has helped to transform the country's landscape, making it safer and more accessible.
TC/CRB/MRA/AMP
