Kraatz (Pty) Ltd and the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU) last week signed a one-year substantive agreement. The signing of the agreement means 35 bargaining unit employees at Kraatz will receive a 6.5% increase on their basic salary, effective 1 July 2022. Kraatz is a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group. 

Eugene Louw, managing director (MD) of Kraatz, applauded the union for the way the negotiations were concluded. He noted that the union plays a critical role in the employer/employee relationship, and that cooperation between the two parties ensures business continuity and sustainability. 

“Kraatz has not been safeguarded by the effects of Covid-19 over the past two years. However, we managed to continue our operations by adapting to the new normal, and remained determined to achieve our targets. I am very proud of the way our employees have shown resilience and continued to do their utmost, even when facing this global crisis. For this reason, we believed an increase was only the right thing to do to ensure our people can survive the new challenges we face, such as the increased cost of living and rising inflation,” Louw
stated.  

“Our employees are our most important stakeholders, and they are the ones who can make our business successful. Without their commitment and dedication to our group purpose of “Creating a future, enhancing life”, we would have no business or future to look forward to,” he added.  

John Hinyekwa, MANWU regional organiser, said “the union and shop-stewards’ committee are delighted by the way and spirit in which the negotiations were conducted. We thank the workers for understanding and allowing us to reach a consensus with the company. We, the union and the workers, remain positive and believe the economy will improve and there will be enough work for both parties to yield good results, going forward. The negotiations were not easy, but through cooperation and honest communication, we managed to conclude them. I also wish to extend a warm appreciation to the directors of Kraatz (Pty) Ltd for being accommodating and understanding of the plight of the workers.” 

Photo: Kraatz

Caption: Agreement reached…From left: Tanya Lamprechts, Human Capital Manager, Eugene Louw, Managing Director of Kraatz (Pty) Ltd, and John Hinyekwa, Regional Organiser of MANWU, with Tomas Naivela and Hosea Shivute, employees of Kraatz, sharing in the moment after signing the agreement. Photo: Contributed