Employees of the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) have gone six years without a wage increase. This is despite several meetings and discussions held through recognised union structures. 

The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has strongly criticised Nored, its executive management, and its Board of Directors. In a recent statement, the union condemned the attitude and actions taken by the company’s leadership. 

MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the situation is unfair to workers. 

“The Union views this as fundamentally unfair and a sign of misplaced priorities,” he said. 

He explained that while workers continue to struggle to support their families, senior management and the Board approve high subsistence, and travel claims for activities that are not essential. 

According to the union, this shows that workers’ livelihoods are being ignored. 

The union has referred the dispute to the office of the labour commissioner after completing the process, which culminated in the issuance of a certificate of unresolved dispute, thereby activating workers’ right to strike. 

“This comes after a secret ballot was duly conducted, with workers mandating protected industrial action. As strike rules were being finalised with the designated conciliator, Nored abruptly resorted to urgent court proceedings, seeking to interdict the labour commissioner on the spurious basis that the dispute resolution process was allegedly unlawful,” Ampweya stated. 

In compliance with the relevant provisions of the Labour Act, formal strike notice has been duly served on both the employer and the office of the labour commissioner. 

The strike is lawful and is scheduled to commence on 23 January 2026. The union remains steadfast in its mandate to represent its members, to defend decent wages and fair working conditions, and to uphold lawful state institutions against undue pressure from unscrupulous actors. 

-newsroom@nepc.com.na