ONGWEDIVA – The Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU) has threatened the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare with industrial action.
MANWU wants the ministry to withdraw plans to table the Namibian Planning and Construction Bill, since it was drawn up without its input. The Namibian Planning and Construction Bill is allegedly due for submission to Cabinet on Tuesday next week and the union is opposed to the move.
MANWU Deputy General Secretary Narina Pollmann, claims the labour ministry’s recent drafting of the Namibian Planning and Construction Bill without consulting the union, which is the representatives of the workers, is unacceptable, hence the union will organise industrial action if it is not withdrawn. Pollmann said the ministry has deprived workers of their voice when it drafted the bill, which is likely to affect its members adversely once it becomes law. “This industry is riddled with corruption, poor work practices, collusion of corrupt businesspeople and politicians and many attempts to defraud the government and the public of their hard earned taxes,” said Pollmann.
Pollmann also claims that on two occasions MANWU tried without success to arrange meetings with the ministry, but that was only granted on Friday last week after the union had already called a press conference. The union is now demanding that the bill be withdrawn to allow for further consultation with civil society organisations, trade unions and the Labour Advisory Council. MANWU also demands to be a part of the Namibian Planning and Construction Council. “We agree that the organs of civil society should also be represented in the council, so that they can partner with MANWU to alert the council to the issues of the poor, the working class and issues impacting on the environment,” said Pollmann.
By Helvy Shaanika