Over 600 employees of the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) rejected a 5.4% once-off payment proposal by their management.

This follows negotiations held on Wednesday between the Nida management and Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union representatives after regional and headquarters’ staff downed tools on Wednesday.

Shop-steward Marvin Tjikongo said wage and employment conditions demands were sent to management last May, but fell on deaf ears. 

Tjikongo told Nampa that for grade A, the employees want an increment of 12%, 10% for grade B and 8% for C. They further demand a fixed amount of N$2 500 for seasonal employees.

“On top of the normal transport allowance which is currently N$300 for our staff farming with cattle, grapes and dates production, we demand another N$300. For head office workers, we demand N$500 for transport allowance. On the housing allowance, we ask for an extra N$500 for workers who do not reside in the company’s houses,” Tjikongo said.

Nida’s CEO Richwell Lukonga said in an interview with Nampa that the company can only afford the once-off payment. “That is where we are now. Negotiations are a give-and-take. That is all we can afford at the moment, but we will re-engage the union. The company has a cash flow situation, so we can’t afford the demands made,” Lukonga said. Meanwhile, Tjikongo expressed disappointment, saying management did not consider any increment or employment conditions.

-Nampa