By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK
Some Namdeb employees will earn 10 per cent more following a wage agreement that was signed between the company and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN).
The two parties concluded wage negotiations for the majority of the company’s union members last Tuesday.
The agreement for almost 70 per of the members was signed at Oranjemund.
Namdeb’s Manager: Corporate Communications, Ndeshi Hangula-Sikwambi, said in a statement on Friday the agreement makes provision for the improvement of conditions of employment and wages to employees in the bargaining unit (A1 – C3).
Both parties agreed to a 10 percent increase on wages across the board for members in the bargaining unit, effective from April 2007.
“The wage agreement for the year (2007/2008), strikes a balance between the business imperatives of Namdeb and the interest of its employees, given the challenging times faced by the company,” said Hangula Shikwambi.
Namdeb General Manager, Chris Sivertsen, commended both negotiating parties for a “good outcome and for adopting a mature approach during their long and tough negotiations”.
“This is a good outcome, however, we need to be cautious of short-term good outcomes. With such a settlement, we all need to work together for the long term sustainable future of this mine,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, MUN Regional Chairman Eliphas Iita said that the settlement was a positive sign of commitment and an exhibition of a mature negotiating approach.
“Congratulations to all members of both negotiating teams for demonstrating capabilities of running the affairs,” he said.