OSHAKATI
President Hage Geingob has warned workers to be vigilant and refrain from being misled by misguided individuals who use land and labour issues to cause instability in the country.
“Let our actions always be driven by a genuine desire to improve our country and not by a desire to cause chaos or to settle political scores,” said President Geingob.
The president made the remarks at the Workers’ Day celebrations in Oshakati on Sunday afternoon.
The event was celebrated under the theme, ‘Workers demand effective protection on health and safety’.
The president also appealed to employers to treat their workers with dignity and provide a safe working environment, adding that the days of companies exploiting and disrespecting workers are long over – “if not it will be made to be over”.
“You (workers) are the fire that ignites the engine of our economy. You are and will always be Namibia’s most valuable asset in the fight against poverty and in the pursuit of a prosperous future; don’t forget that without our workers, your companies will be defunct,” said the president.
Equally, the head of state appealed to both employers and employees to work in line with his Harambee Prosperity Plan.
He further appealed to the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) and affiliated unions to integrate the plan into their plans and to align their strategic objectives with the Harambee pillars.
“The Harambee ideals must permeate through all sectors of our economy and amongst all stakeholders,” said Geingob.
Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Oshana Region Clemens Kashuupulwa implored NUNW to remain united and educate and mobilize workers to be productive in the fight towards economic emancipation.
NUNW president Ismael Kasuto warned employers not to compromise safety and appealed for government’s support to promote safety in the country.
He also appealed to workers to demand effective protection and health safety.
Although the start of the event was delayed for three hours, the long wait in the scoring heat did not deter attendees singing and dancing to Ndilimani’s songs as the president eventually made his mark at the stadium.