Windhoek
Re-elected chairperson of the Agricultural Employers’ Association (AEA) Christine Stoman says farm employers should not allow any union representatives or so-called labour consultants to spread false information on their farms regarding increases in the minimum wage.
Stoman said this in her chairperson’s report at the 29th congress of the AEA last week, after she was informed about so-called labour consultants misleading farmworkers that the minimum wage has already been increased.
“That is simply not true. There is a process being followed by the role players within the Namibia Agricultural Labour Forum (NALF), the Namibian Agricultural Union, the Namibian National Farmers Union and the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union. Your association does not recognise the union as sole bargaining agent, as they do not represent more than 50% of our employees.
“Yet, for the purpose of the minimum wage agreement, the three parties will hopefully again reach consensus, and the agreement will be signed in the presence of the Ministry of Labour. Employers will be duly informed and today’s deliberations will give the AEA management a mandate concerning the minimum wage and the way forward,” she noted.
Stoman says there are currently opposing suggestions on the table and they rely on the agricultural employers to work out a reasonable and affordable minimum wage suited to both employees and employers. These proposal will then be put to the NALF as part of the negotiations.
The Namibia Labour Forum met again last year, after being dormant for some months, under the chairmanship of the new permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Bro Matthew Shinguadja.
“One topic that the AEA would like to see return to the agenda of the Labour Forum is the question of an apprenticeship system on farms. The AEA has been saying for years that school drop-outs can be prevented from filling the streets by becoming apprentices on farms, learning valuable skills alongside their fathers, whilst earning a small income and living with their parents.
“However, what is seen as a workable alternative on farms, is viewed as exploitation by the NAFWU. This matter needs to be resolved as it has been hanging in the air for years,” she observed.
The AEA undertakes a survey every second year to determine the remuneration packages of farm staff. The 2016 survey is currently underway.
“It is important to emphasise that Namibia’s minimum wage is not a standard wage paid to all farm employees across the board. Young, incoming staff at entry-level receive the minimum wage, until they have proven their capabilities.
“Older, loyal staff with many years’ service are remunerated on a higher scale. In the past, survey results have shown that commercial farmers generally pay their loyal staff double or triple the minimum wage. The 2016 Wage Survey Report should be available by the end of the year,” Stoman noted.
Regarding training, she says currently at association level, needs assessments are being conducted. Training providers can then be put in contact with the farmers’ associations, so that training may follow.
During a workshop by the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) on “Agricultural Vocational Traineeship Placements on Farms”, trainees received formal agri-training, and will need to do practical stints on farms. The unit standards for formal agri-training were recently approved by the Namibia Qualifications Authority. The next step is the accreditation of the training institutions with the NTA.
The Namibia Agricultural Retirement Fund (NARF) is wrapping up its business. The decision was taken by the trustees last year to close the fund, because it no longer served its purpose.
Huge changes in administration fees, enforced by NAMFISA, meant that the Fund’s capital percentage of contributions were shrinking, as were its membership figures. Farm employees will be paid out their accumulated monies later this year and may choose to re-invest in an annuity or simply take a lump sum.
Stoman also raised the issue of conflict between communities.
“Conflict is as old as humankind and surely there will never be total peace in any workplace. We are now seeing the spin-off of internal conflict in that some farms have been searched by NamPol (Namibian police) for illegal weapons and ammunition.
“Informants are normally disgruntled wives, neighbours or staff. All this could have been prevented though, if only we had better skills in managing conflict. We need to keep our poise,” she said.