Adolf Kaure
Namib Mills has offered its employees a 10% increment, 20% less than what they are demanding.
According to Namib Mills General Manager Stephanus Ackerman, their offer is three times above the prevailing inflation rate.
As of today, the workers have entered their seventh day of striking and industrial action, while Namib Mills has implemented a lockout.
According to Ackerman, the lockout was instituted following demands that are considered unreasonable and significantly above market norms.
“The most recent written demand from the union represents an overall increase of approximately 36% across the bargaining unit, excluding additional non-financial demands. These demands are not sustainable in the current economic environment, particularly in light of Namibia’s annual inflation rate of approximately 3.2%,” he said.
Ackerman continued: “Namib Mills values its employees and remains committed to fair and competitive remuneration.
“The company’s current offer to employees participating in the industrial action reflects a total average increase exceeding 10%, which is more than three times the prevailing inflation rate.”
The general manager added that Namib Mills has made extensive efforts to avoid industrial action.
“Engagement with Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) commenced immediately upon the union’s recognition and included multiple negotiation meetings, transparent disclosure of relevant financial information, and the involvement of an arbitrator from the Office of the Labour Commissioner. Several offers and concessions were made in good faith throughout the process. Namib Mills remains committed to reaching a fair and mutually acceptable agreement,” said Ackerman.
Additionally, the company has experienced several strike rule violations to date.
“These incidents have been formally reported to both the union and the Office of the Labour Commissioner. A written notice outlining the violations was served,” he said.
He added that there have been intimidation and threats aimed at truck drivers who operate at the depot, stating disciplinary action will follow any employee who breaks these rules.
“There have been incidents involving threats and intimidation directed at employees and contracted service providers, and disciplinary action will follow. This conduct has created an atmosphere of fear, discouraging some employees who are otherwise willing to work from reporting for duty,” said Ackerman. “Namib Mills treats any form of intimidation or misconduct with the utmost seriousness. Appropriate disciplinary and legal action will be pursued against union officials and members found to have engaged in such conduct, in line with applicable laws and company procedures.”
Representing the workers, Naretu secretary general Peterson Kambinda said Namib Mills needs to have equity in their salary packages. “There are some employees here who have been working for this company for 38 years and are not even getting paid N$8 000. A person who came 20 years later is getting paid over N$10 000. Who can this be? If you are doing the same job, this person found you here.” What we are fighting for is salary equality,” he said. Kambinda also said that the workers on strike did not violate any strike rules and that there have not been any intimidation and threats.
According to him, he acted out of self-defence when he punched an official during the strike last Tuesday.
“He was in civilian clothes when he came here, and there was no identification. He was not even a driver of a subcontractor. He was not supposed to be here. He came to attack me while I was at the picketing line taking out the people, and he came to attack me, and I punched him in self-defence,” said Kambinda.
-akaure@nepc.com.na
