– Better Work Prospects in the Offing By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK A milestone achievement in labour relations was this week reached with the announcement of a more acceptable monthly payment structure between part-time National Extension Programme tutors and the Ministry of Culture. This and the fact that clerical assistants as well as cleaners will henceforth be appointed on a permanent basis, were confirmed in an interview with the principal of the College of the Arts, Ervast Mtota. Monthly salary payments and the possibility of never being appointed in any post on the National Extension Programme had been a constant bone of contention since the formation thereof some 12 years ago. “These are all positive developments for the programme but, at the same time, formal recognition by the Ministry of Culture for the enormous contribution these tutors and workers have contributed towards art and culture development in the country. These workers have for years had no sense of employment security,” said College of the Arts principal, Ervast Mtota. In his view, the new monthly salary notch payment scheme to all part-time workers brings about a definite and positive change from the now infamous hour-claim salary system. “The new system, to be implemented as soon as possible, will save a lot of labour for the administration in the ministry and stress on the part of the 69 part-time workers. I would like to think that under the new system the workers will now more readily take up the challenge to improve and upgrade their qualifications for possible later permanent appointment, something which could not have been done right now,” Mtota said. Heads of the four existing centres countrywide had been on a monthly salary notch for a long time. A lot of relief and praise was this week expressed by some tutors about the new developments in the NAEP. “The person who finally got the dreaded hourly payment system out of the way, deserves to be given a standing ovation. Now I do not have to use my own productive work hours to move reluctant civil servants to do their work in order to pay us, as tutors, for work legitimately done by us. This new development should have happened ages ago, because it could have stopped a lot of stress and high blood pressure among the workers,” said tutor, Severius Majiedt, responsible for drama and one of the longest-serving part-time workers on the programme, when approached for comment. It is the opinion of the Acting Head of Department of the NAEP, Sacky Haosemab, that the new pay system would allow tutors to focus more on the creative side of their jobs. “The hour system really took up a lot of time. Things should now improve on all fronts for the many dedicated workers, many of whom have already started to improve their qualifications allowed for under the programme. I am sure many more creative people would now be interested in joining us,” said Haosemab. To contemporary dance tutor, Jacky Pacheco, the announcement makes a lot of financial sense. “For years we have been agitating for a better pay system to be put in place by way of confrontation and other methods. We were forced to do so because no one in the Ministry of Culture would really do something to relieve the plight of the workers. Finally, someone has given in to our demands – an achievement for us as workers. I just hope the new system has come to stay,” said Pacheco half-cynically. Art/Life has reliably learned that the part-time tutors will be paid a fixed notch for eleven months of the year, with the exception of December when they normally do not work. The permanent appointment of clerical staff was also well received by the half dozen female workers doing the administration work at NAEP centres for many years. “This is the one positive development I have been waiting for after working on the programme for almost six years. I thought I would never be appointed on a permanent basis. I have worked tirelessly for all these years without a fixed salary, but one based on hours. It really is a relief for me as a married woman. I suppose we will now be able to share in the government service perks, too,” exclaimed an excited Julia Sam at the Katutura Community Arts Centre. Clerical staff member of the Rehoboth School of Arts, Charmain Esser, also welcomed the news of the permanent appointments expected to come into effect in March. “Though surprised, I am very happy about this development because for nine years I have been working hard as a part-time worker,” said Charmain Esser. On being told that the cleaners working on the programme would also be appointed on a permanent basis, the three staff members at the KACA excitedly welcomed the news. “This is a very nice idea, because this part-time work was just no good. Hopefully we will now have peace of mind and not have to worry about getting our salaries late any more. It really put pressure on us as women with domestic responsibilities,” said an obviously relieved Tilie Nghilolulwa who has been working at the KACA for six years. Cleaner Thomas Sheehama, agreed that a permanent appointment is to be welcomed, something he had been waiting for, for 4 years. Alwina Eiseb said she would like to share in the government perks that go with permanent appointment. “I need to be able to buy a house and become a member of the government medical aid scheme, something I did not qualify for over the past four years I have been employed as a cleaner,” Alwina Eiseb said.