By: Justicia Shipena
The Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu) commander-in-chief Petersen Kambinda says that Snyman Transport and TransDesert Logistics have refused to recognise them.
Kambinda said this on Monday at a media briefing in Windhoek.
According to him, the companies that oppress and mistreat workers refuse to recognise Naretu as a bargaining agent.
“They are doing so by resorting into delaying tactics spree to avoid agreeing with the union even after we meet all legal requirements stipulated in Section 64 of the Namibian Labour Act,” he said.
He said when Snyman Transport saw that the union met the requirements.
Kambinda thus said some companies resorted to dismissing Naretu members unprocedural.
“They have 184 employees, out of this employees, according to the labour act, we need 50+1, which is 92+1=93. Naretu has 134 members in Snyman Transport,” he explained.
He added that although they continued recruiting, membership numbers at Snyman are still undisputed.
“They hiring legal practitioners just to deny recognising the union,” said the commander in chief.
Regarding Trans Desert Logistics, the union says they reached an agreement in early November last year.
“However, the company started delaying tactics on signing that agreement. We booked the signing three different times, and every time the company postponed the signing of the agreement,” he said.
In this vein, Kambinda stated that the company changed the strategy and started firing members of the union to reduce the number.
“On the second week of January, while we were waiting for the signing of the agreement, the company gave a notice that we no longer have the majority. We recruited again to regain the required number, but we were told they would no longer sign the agreement, but they will wait for 90 days,” he expressed.
In this line, the union called on the Namibia Employers Federation (NEF) to get its members in order.
“We are giving them 14 days to do so, or we will be left with no choice but to have a national strike.”
He further said that workers are fed up and are tired of being treated as objects.
“They are emotionally traumatised by those supposed to look after them. They are treated as they are not human enough.”
Kambinda also claims that workers are being bullied and are oppressed by their employees.
“They have no right nor voice at the workplace,” he stressed.
Unhappy truck drivers
Truck driver Epaphras Niinkoti told The Villager that employers don’t want to respect the driver.
“I was given a provisional contract, but they don’t do anything when three months passed. When I ask them, they don’t respond to me.”
Niinkoti, the whole situation is giving him stress.
“The money and working conditions are a problem. It gives us stress, and after stress, this can cause accidents on the road because we are driving with depression,” he expressed.
Another driver Faustino Santos said his boss is demanding forced vaccination.
“We don’t understand why our boss is doing this because when we drive to foreign countries, we pay for the Covid-19 test. We are not happy about it.”
Santos said when applying for leave, it becomes a war with the company.
“You have to fight, or you won’t get those days if you are not pushing. We put a notice for a month, but you are told your leave is not approved when it’s time,” said Santos.
Former truck driver at Trans Desert Logistics Steven Mukuve said that the company started to victimise him after he began to speak up.
“They ended my contract because they don’t want clever people in their company. I did not do anything wrong,” he said.
Speaking to The Villager, Mukuve said Trans Desert Logistics kept forcing him to sign a contract without reading its contents.
“I told them I don’t want to sign and that I have to go read what I’m signing, but they threatened that if I don’t sign, I won’t get my mine,” he said.
He added that the owner started acting against the laws.
“They continue firing our comrades until they are using their laws today. But it is not fair for the workers to work at a place, and they are being told that they cannot be clever or they will be fired.”
On Friday, Snyman managing director Sakkie Snyman sent out a notice against a strike by Naretu.
“Every Employee who participates will not be paid for time off work. The no work – no pay rule applies,” he said.
Snyman said that employees who participate in wildcat strike action would be held accountable for their illegal activities.
“Every employee who participates in a wildcat strike risks serious disciplinary consequences regarding the disciplinary code of”
Hence, he called on Naretu to set a date and time to meet with Snyman to resolve disputes.
Furthermore, he said the union does not represent the majority.
“Members of that union are urged to ensure their union does comply with the Namibian labour act, ensuring that the members’ employment and remunerations are not at risk,” said Snyman.
Trans Desert Logistics and NEF did not respond to a comment on the matter.
