The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) and Namib Mills have reached an agreement, ending a 59-day strike involving close to 1 000 workers.

The union’s commander-in-chief, Petersen Kambinda, revealed this on Wednesday during a media briefing in Windhoek.

Five times, the group met with the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, whom Kambinda thanked for his efforts in the matter, which he stressed should not have taken so long to resolve.

He said the deal will see workers receive part of last year’s benefits, with bonuses paid this Friday and back pay expected next week.

Kambinda confirmed that the 2026 benefits have already been incorporated into the agreement.

 Members will automatically receive the improved benefits from 1 July without further negotiation.

“Benefits for 2026 have been incorporated. There won’t be any more negotiations. Automatically, come the first of July this year, our members will be able to get those benefits automatically from what we have incorporated,” he stated.

The union leader expressed desire to see high discipline among Namib Mills employees when they return to work following the agreement between the two parties.

“Once we go inside the production, these employees have to go and shoot the targets, the targets which they are going to be given – they need to go shoot that,” Kambinda said.

He called for employees to work and meet their production demands and make the company money to stand in a position to negotiate better salaries for them in the future.

Meanwhile, in an internal communication issued on Wednesday, Namib Mills acknowledged the agreement and noted that employees have 72 hours to return to work.

“This outcome allows us to restore normal operations and move forward together with stability and focus,” it added. 

He encouraged the employees to recommit themselves to their work as Namib Mills reverts to normal operations. 

-ljason@nepc.com.na

– Additional reporting by Nampa