Meatco, Namibia’s leading meat processing and marketing company, and the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau), have concluded wage negotiations for the upcoming financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28. The new two-year wage agreement, which will see increments across the board, aims to balance employee welfare, business sustainability, and long-term operational stability, while ensuring that employees’ welfare is taken care of. The latest wage deal follows last month’s protests in Windhoek by Meatco workers who took to the streets due to stalled salary negotiations. The industrial friction intensified as Meatco workers claimed that the state-owned meat processing company recorded over N$100 million in profits, yet management remained reluctant to offer a reasonable wage increment.
Protesters marched to the Meatco headquarters in Windhoek and handed over a formal petition to Meatco’s interim chief executive, Albertus !Aochamub. In the petition, Nafau outlined several severe operational and financial complaints, including demands that long-term casual and contract workers be transitioned into permanent employment, strict accountability and investigations into missing cattle from Meatco facilities, amongst others. Welcoming the new wage agreement !Aochamub commended the spirit in which the process was conducted and how they mutually arrived at the conclusion.
“This agreement reflects the commitment of both the company management and organised labour to work together responsibly in the interests of employees, operational stability, and the long-term sustainability of Meatco. We appreciate the constructive engagement demonstrated throughout the negotiations and believe the outcome provides certainty and stability for the next two financial years while supporting the company’s ongoing turnaround and growth initiatives,” said !Aochamub. Under the new wage agreement, employees within the bargaining unit will, for the 2026/27 fiscal year, receive a 5% basic salary increase across-the-board and a monthly housing allowance increase of N$200. For the 2027/28 financial year, a 6.5% basic salary increase across-the-board was agreed on, but there will be no increment for cold allowance and housing allowance for the 2027/28 financial year.
NAFAU’s deputy general secretary Willem Absalom also welcomed the agreement and acknowledged the cooperative approach adopted by all parties.
“NAFAU is pleased that the negotiations were concluded amicably and through meaningful engagement. The agreement represents a balanced outcome that protects the interests of workers while recognising the current operational realities facing the company. We appreciate the willingness of the parties to engage in good faith and to reach common ground,” said Absalom.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining sound labour relations, promoting productivity and working collaboratively toward the continued success and sustainability of Meatco.