Adolf Kaure
The Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) and the fast-food chain Hungry Lion signed an agreement on Tuesday in Windhoek to increase wages and revise working conditions.
The agreement prevented the labour dispute from escalating into a strike. Nafau deputy secretary general, Willem Absalom, expressed his appreciation to the negotiation team, the union, and Hungry Lion company for their dedication to resolving the dispute without harming the business or employees.
“Despite the difficult and crucial negotiations, the parties have reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together as social partners for the best of the interest of both parties,” said Absalom.
This includes a two-year agreement that will see a N$375 per month remuneration increase across the board for employees in the bargaining unit during the first year.
The increase of N$375 will be backdated from 1 July 2025 to 28 February 2026.
Additionally, the employees’ transport allowance will be increased to N$624 per month, in line with the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) normal taxi fare, effective on 1 March 2026.
All temporal and fixed employees who have completed one year in the company will be appointed to a full-time position as permanent employees as of the date of the agreement – year 1: effective 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
During the second year of the agreement, the employees’ remuneration will be increased by N$400, of which N$200 will be allocated as a housing allowance as a starting point; currently, a housing allowance does not exist. The total increase is N$775 over two years.
History
The dispute was referred to the Office of Labour Commissioner in November 2025.
After that, the wage negotiation deadlock between Nafau and Hungry Lion was resolved.
Nafau, as the recognised bargaining agent representing Hungry Lion employees and management, initiated wage negotiations in June 2025.
However, the two parties could not reach an agreement on wages and conditions of employment. This prompted the dispute to be referred to the Office of the Labour Commissioner, leading to a conciliation meeting scheduled for 22 January.
The meeting culminated in a certificate of unresolved dispute to be issued by the conciliator after the parties failed to reach an agreement.
Two days before an anticipated industrial action could take place, and after all due processes had been followed, the parties returned to the wage-negotiation table.
An agreement was subsequently reached.
Hungry Lion management
Representing the Hungry Lion management, the country operational manager, Winston Cupido, expressed gratitude towards how cooperation culminated in the agreement.
“We are happy as the employer that the matter has been resolved, and we are looking forward to working together with Nafau in the future,” said Cupido.
There are currently over 500 employees countrywide who are part of Nafau. This represents 70% of Hungry Lion’s total employees.
-akaure@nepc.com.na