Windhoek
Hundreds of Rosh Pinah zinc mine employees could go on a strike anytime soon after the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) and the management of the mining company reached a deadlock in wage negotiations yesterday.
The deadlock would lead to the employees voting today on whether or not to embark on industrial action at the mine.
MUN Rosh Pinah branch organiser Elvis Bekele confirmed the deadlock, saying both parties met for conciliation talks last week.
“No agreement was reached and the office of the labour commissioner issued a certificate of unresolved dispute over wages,” he said.
The union is demanding a salary increase of 12.5 percent within the bargaining unit and 100% medical aid coverage.
The company is offering a 5 percent salary increment.
Bekele said the next step is for the employees to notify their employer about the looming strike within 48 hours, as prescribed by law.
More than 360 employees at the mining company are expected to take part in the planned industrial action.
The employees also demand bonuses and a housing allowance, benefits which Bekele says are ignored by many companies.