As leaders of rival trade unions take their crafty messages to workers across the country tomorrow, there remain tough unanswered questions within Namibia’s workforce – especially on issues of oppression and exploitation.
Originally, Namibian unions came into existence with the primary aim of defending workers – mostly blacks – against exploitation by mainly their white employers. Apartheid, which was the way of life, favoured whites and there was therefore no chance for blacks to seek recourse against their exploitative bosses.
Perhaps compounded by the fight for independence and freedom on the other hand, the trade union movement was active in the 1980s. They fought a parallel fight alongside Swapo, whose sole focus was the total liberation of Namibia.
After independence, the unions – especially those aligned to the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) – remained active. But perhaps the lure of lucrative jobs in government (through parliamentary seats) compromised most of the revolutionary principles that their unions were synonymous with in the 80s.
We have seen over the years how dozens of unionists at the NUNW and its affiliates left Mungunda Street to take up lucrative jobs in government, leaving workers with novice unionists, who share little, if any, understanding of the workers’ struggles.
Traditionally, unionists led from the front. They waged a class war against forces of oppression and exploitation. They were the fertile ground for reformist ideas, which came in handy at a time when the country was desperate for revolutionary ideas to turn around the tables of apartheid.
Unions represented a class of middle- and low-income earners. Today, the country’s middle class is in disarray. The two classes, particularly the middle one, are the key catalysts of economic growth.
When the rich save their millions of dollars in offshore accounts, the middle class saves its meagre earnings in the country. Instead of going to the Bahamas or Paris for holidays, middle class Namibians (at least those who can) travel to Swakopmund for theirs.
The middle class, due to unaffordability, do not shop in Cape Town or London. From groceries to clothes, they visit local outlets for all their purchases, thereby injecting all their earnings into the local economy.
But the middles class is left to fend for itself. This group of Namibians has been priced out of the property market. Also, they are the reason the loan books of commercial banks are as healthy as they are.
When property moguls dominate land auctions, the middle class watches on with teary eyes. Unionists too have become land barons in their own right and their deafening silence on issues such as land auctions is often not a surprise.
We need a national strategy on how to keep a healthy Namibian middle class, for the sake our economic growth. It is because of the working class that huge commercial and political opportunities are felt in the country.
Unionists should wake up from their deep slumber and take a lead in ensuring that adequate investments are made to sustain the country’s working class.
Sadly, many unions have created commercial arms, which are in the public space to compete for tenders and other multi-million-dollar contracts. Such commercialisation of trade unions has, as already observed, compromised the original principles of unionism in our country.
These capitalistic tendencies have destroyed the body and soul of many Namibian unions, where mudslinging, corruption and fighting for positions have become a daily occurrence.
During these fights, the plight of the workers is subconsciously compromised. As we commemorate this year’s May Day, therefore, unionists must take a lengthy look of themselves in the mirror. By this, they would hopefully realise that they are a pale shadow of their former selves, which can inspire them to change for the better.