Workers at Erindi have threatened to go on strike after 16 of their colleagues were dismissed while addressing allegations of brutal forms of exploitation, which they likened to the dark days of apartheid.
However, lawyers representing the private game reserve deny the owners have done anything wrong.
Allegations levelled against the Erindi management include racism, victimisation, threats, assault, mismanagement and unfair labour practices, which include the signing of warnings and dismissals as well as issues with severance, overtime, public holidays’ and Sunday payments.
These working conditions forced some farmworkers to approach management recently to air their views and frustration. In turn, the workers claim they were suspended for voicing their unhappiness.
Out of the 160 workers who signed the petition to management, only about 16 of them who took the petition to management were dismissed.
They are now camping near the entrance of the upmarket facility.
Those still employed by Erindi joined the Namibia Commercial Catering Food and Allied Workers Union (NACCAFWU) in 2021 to represent their labour interests.
NACCAFWU’s acting deputy secretary general Joseph Garoeb said it has come to their attention that Erindi is still operating on the principle of segregation, and does not allow white colleagues to mingle with black colleagues for the purposes of team-building.
“Neither are black employees allowed to sit and eat at the restaurant, a place where services are free only to the white employees of Erindi. This is a blatant form of discrimination in which certain benefits are not to be enjoyed by the blacks, but are the entitlement of the whites. Racial segregation is an apartheid ideology, and that principle can and shall not be allowed within a free and democratic society,” Garoeb charged.
However, Charles Visser, a lawyer representing Erindi, this week said the former workers were fairly dismissed and are accordingly excluded by the provisions of section 35(2) of the Labour Act from claiming severance payments.
In fact, Visser said his client is not aware of any striking workers at Erindi.
He, however, confirmed that a group of former farm employees had taken up position on the public road reserve close to the reserve’s main gate.
“We confirm that the ex-employees were dismissed by our client, subsequent to the finalisation of an internal disciplinary process,” Visser said.
The charges brought against the former employees included the making of misrepresentations and false allegations; insolence; dishonesty and insubordination.
“The ex-employees elected not to participate in the disciplinary proceedings, which were concluded before an independent chairperson. The ex-employees were further afforded the right to an internal appeal hearing, which right they failed to exercise,” the lawyer responded.
Visser said the dismissed employees received all payments due under the Labour Act.
These payments include all accrued leave, and the payment of their salaries up and until the date of their dismissal.
Equally, he noted that the ex-employees were further given a 30-day notice to vacate the company’s accommodation.
“The ex-employees are entitled to remain in the houses on Erindi Game Reserve for a period of 30 days, calculated from the date of their dismissal. The ex-employees seemingly have elected not to utilise such right,” Visser remarked, without commenting on other allegations such as racial discrimination.
The union has threatened to down tools until their demands are met by Erindi management.
Among the demands is the withdrawal of all dismissals; institution of enquiries in a grievance against management; severance packages; and payouts for overtime, public holidays and Sundays.
They also want certifications of service, and tenure land rights or customary land rights.
Garoeb said the union met the legal representatives on 15 February 2022, put forth to them such demands, and are awaiting feedback.
Visser responded that regular meetings have been taking place since the end of 2021, and a further meeting was convened with the union and four of the ex-employees as recently as last Tuesday, 15 February.
“Regular telephonic communication with the union is further maintained. We regard the current relations with the union to be cordial and professional, and are not aware of any deadlock,” he said.
–anakale@nepc.com.na