By Jemima Beukes
KEETMANSHOOP – The ongoing wage negotiations between Novanam Limited and the union representing Novanam workers – the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) – have reached a deadlock.
Nafau representative Penda Jacobs said an industrial strike was certainly on the cards if an agreement was not found by yesterday afternoon.
“We have already given the 48 hours’ notice so if they don’t give in to our demands we will go on strike until our demands are met,” Jacobs said.
The sticking point is essentially salary increments with workers demanding an 8.5 percent increase, a demand seemingly deemed unreasonable by Novanam management who offered a 5.8 percent increase instead.
Workers also asked for overall salary adjustments and the permanent employment of 200 of the 1 400 temporary workers who according to Jacobs have worked for the company between five and 13 years already in that capacity.
Novanam acting human resources manager, Francis Kawana, refused to comment on the issue.