The Roads Authority and the Namibian Public Workers Union on Tuesday signed a new wage agreement after successful negotiations.

The two parties agreed to a 4% increment on the basic salary, housing allowance and transport allowance for all employees in the bargaining unit, Paterson Job Grades A2 –C5, to be backdated to 1 April 2021.

In addition, the RA board of directors has also approved a 4% salary increase on total cost to company for all staff members on management level. 

Conrad Lutombi, RA chief executive officer congratulated the negotiating teams for concluding the negotiations to the benefit of both parties. 

“The negotiating parties are cognisant of the fact that RA is a non-profit making entity, hence its remuneration levels are equated to that. This is a demonstration of the good relations that exist between the RA and Napwu,” he said. 

Napwu general secretary Petrus Nevonga commended the negotiating teams on a job well done and encouraged them to always find amicable solutions to avoid unnecessary labour confrontation.

 The salary increment brings a sigh of great relief to staff members who have expressed experiencing the pinch of the current economic downturn, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

RA’s core business is to construct and maintain Namibia’s road network, which has been ranked among the safest, most efficient and sustainable – and it is the envy of many countries.