By: Justicia Shipena
As the unions await the process of setting up the striking rules with the labour commissioner Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA), secretary general Kavihuha Mahongora says the list given by the government at the polling stations was not inclusive of all public workers.
He said that some workers were prevented from casting their vote and turned away from polling stations while on official duty because they were not from the specific region.
On Thursday and Friday, civil servants put to the vote whether to strike or not in demand of a salary increase, with the outcomes showing that 43 228 voted. Of this figure, 42 216 voted in favour of the strike while 1 232 voted against it.
“There was that back and forth. We also had the list that the government gave in terms of verification which was not inclusive of all the people. Some reported to our office that they were turned away,” said Mahongora.
There are about 170,000 civil servants in the country, although essential workers such as nurses, police and the military are not permitted by law to go on strike.
He, however, expressed that the unions are happy with the outcomes of the vote but would have been better.
“We are happy with the outcome, but that outcome should have been far, far better because we have received many complaints, especially the workers that went out to other regions on official duty they were not allowed to vote in those regions. So I’m sure the turnout would have been much higher should all the needy greedy things were taken into consideration,” he said.
Before the voting, the government last week stamped there was no money to increase salaries, and that increase would harm the economy.
This also follows after the government and the bargaining unions reached a deadlock for a 10 per cent pay raise across the board.
The workers also demand a 25 per cent increase to qualifying amounts on housing subsidies, a 9 per cent increase on housing allowances, a 10 per cent increase in transport for civil servants below management, and a N$7 per kilometre tariff increase.
The two parties will now engage in a process to set up striking rules.
“After the parties have agreed on the strike rules, the notice is given in less than 48 hours for the specific date on when the strike should commence,” he added.
According to him, the government still has room to negotiate, and everything should not be put on ice.
“It should be made clear that when there is an election for a strike, writing the strike rules even during the strike requires parties to continue with the negotiations if they are still willing. It does not mean that everything should be put on ice when there is a vote for a strike or notice or commencement of the strike,” Mahongora said while still emphasising that the government should consider the strike’s impact.
“The government should swallow their pride and think about the impact the strike will have on the Namibian people. The workers cannot do that because we were pushed to that extent. That is why they have voted overwhelmingly for the strike. We had been completely pushed to that degree by virtue of the employer arrogancy.”
He estimated that the 48-hour notice could come out this week, depending on the finalisation of the rules.
“It also depends on how competent the consulter or arbitrator appointed by the office of the labour commissioner is, how competent they are to facilitate the process and fast track it. Some of the assigned officials are completely highly incompetent and compromised,” he adds.
Meanwhile, Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) secretary-general Loide Shaanika says the voting verification is finalised.
“We will release the results today and get together with the other party and put up rules before a notice is given to the members.”
Shaanika pleaded with the public employees to remain patient until bargaining unions finalise the legal process.
“We want to thank them, and yes, they came out in numbers to indicate what is the next course of action. We also want to tell them to remain patient during the week while finalising these legal provisions with the other party.”
Health executive director Ben Nangome said as much the civil servants may strike, there are specific categories of civil servants who may not strike.
“This includes ambulance services, casualty services, theatre, ICU, cardiac, laboratory, nursing, pharmaceuticals, dental, radiology, mortuary and medical services etc.”
Nangombe added that he did not want to pre-empt anything.
“Of course, the vote has taken place, but an additional process needs to occur. We hope that some of these issues will be ventilated during the discussion with the unions and the government’s negotiating team on the rules of the strike.”
Moreover, a letter from the government stated that it expects staff members below management to participate in the strike.
The letter requested executive directors to identify other essential services in government offices, ministries and agencies apart from those indicated in the labour act.
According to the labour act, an essential service is a service that would endanger the life, personal safety or health of the population of Namibia.
‘Our job is to ensure service delivery is not compromised during this time.’
Furthermore, the letter also requested executive directors to submit how services performed by staff below management will not be compromised.
