Adolf Kaure

The Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) and food manufacturing giant Bokomo reached an agreement on Wednesday to increase wages and revise working conditions for employees. 

Nafau deputy secretary general Willem Absalom did not hide his satisfaction, expressing appreciation to the negotiation team, union and Bokomo’s management. 

“While the negotiations were robust and, at times, challenging, they were conducted in a spirit of mutual respect and shared purpose, ultimately resulting in an amicable agreement,” the unionist said. The agreement will see a N$500 per month remuneration increase across the board for employees in the bargaining unit effective 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

The employees will also receive an additional N$500 across the board for the second year from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028, bringing the total increase to N$1 000 in the period of two years.

Furthermore, all other conditions of employment, including employee transport arrangements and existing benefits not specifically addressed in this agreement will remain unchanged.

“I feel that we did not really have a long time to negotiate, but I feel happy that the company at least gave us something that all the employees met, and I am happy with the agreement,” said shop steward Lahja Shiimi.

Representing Bokomo, CEO Hubertus Hamm expressed gratitude towards how the cooperation culminated in the agreement.

“I would like to say thank you from both the union and from the Bokomo side for the good negotiations. It shows that we can work together as social partners. It was a long and tough negotiation, but ultimately, I think we got a fair result. I look forward to the next two years and the work relationship, so thank you very much,” Hubertus said. 

There are currently over 400 employees countrywide who are part of Nafau, out of Bokomo Namibia’s 600 total employees.

-akaure@nepc.com.na