WINDHOEK – Chanting “we are hungry” and “down with intimidation” employees of Methealth Namibia Administrators went on strike yesterday morning demanding an average increase of about 13.5 percent for salary grades A1 to C1.
About 76 percent of the company’s workforce, or just over 160 people, went on strike after a certificate of unresolved dispute was issued by the Office of the Labour Commissioner on September 06. The representative union, the Namibia Financial Institutions Union (NAFINU) is up in arms after they said the company refused to disclose their financials, as ordered by the Labour Commissioner. Speaking to the media during the commencement of the strike, NAFINU Deputy Secretary General, Samuel Vries, said violating the order to disclose their financials is tantamount to a criminal act. “We are demanding an amount of N$2.6 million to implement the proposed increases and we are sure that is affordable for the company.” Vries also mentioned a circular that was apparently sent to all staff, which he said is tantamount to intimidation as some employees participating in the legal strike now fear that they might lose their jobs. “I ask all employees not to succumb to pressure by the company,” Vries told the striking workers.
Instead, the company is offering increases of 12.5 percent for A-Band employees, 9.6 percent for B-Band and 8 percent for employees in the C-Band. Methealth Namibia Administrators is also offering a 10 percent increase on the medical aid allowance and transport allowance for employees in the bargaining unit. “Methealth’s offer to NAFINU remains unchanged but would continue to engage with the union to find a solution to this matter,” said Methealth’s Managing Director, Theo Oppermann, and the Group Chief Executive Officer, Jason Nandago, in a circular sent to all staff. “For Methealth it is business as usual, members and health professionals are assured that no Methealth processes will be hindered. A contingency plan has been put in place to reduce the impact it (the strike) will have in service delivery to all clients,” according to the circular.
Besides the current deadlock on negotiations the union and employees are also unhappy about the non-implementation of measures put in place to address what they termed ‘huge salary gaps’ at the company. According to Vries these measures were supposed to be implemented in September last year, but to date management has not taken the necessary steps to rectify the situation. “I am a supervisor so how can one of my subordinates earn N$7000 more than me?” asked one employee who preferred anonymity. The union is also demanding the appointment of an independent consultant to review the salary structure of the company and also called on the Employment Equity Commissioner to inspect the situation at Methealth Namibia.