By: Justicia Shipena
The labour ministry sent the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) members away after a meeting with them turned sour.
On Wednesday, NEFF had an engagement with the labour ministry to address workers’ issues.
The NEFF delegation, which consisted of its members Epafrans Mukwiilongo, Kalimbo Iipumbu and Michael Amushelelo, claimed the ministry has done nothing to solve unfair labour practices.
The trio have been making waves after shutting down multiple workplaces that mistreated its employees.
At the meeting, the labour minister Uutoni Nujoma told the leadership to call its members to order, causing the meeting not to continue.
“We cannot continue under these circumstances. We have told you what we are standing for now, and you are insulting us. So this meeting is called off,” stressed Nujoma.
According to Nujoma, the NEFF members broke the law.
“You are violating the law of this country. And you are sending your so-called revolutionary fighters to go and disrupt the peace in this country. It is not acceptable,” he added.
He added that the party should discipline its ‘so-called revolutionary fighters.’
“They are insulting us. They are calling us all sorts of names through social media. That is not acceptable,” cried Nujoma.
Nujoma emphasised that the labour act requires that only registered trade union has the right to represent the workers.
“If you have no recognition and I don’t think you have the right to represent the workers. You are a political party, but you are not recognised in terms of the law. Get the necessary recognition through the structures established by the government, and then do your work peacefully. You have no right to go to any employer to disturb or harass them. You have no right to do so.”
However, Mukwiilongo said that aggrieved Namibians have been calling them. “People of Namibia are crying.”
Nujoma, however, questioned: “You are telling me you are sent by the Namibian people, which people of Namibia?”
Furthermore, he said the ministry’s mission is to make sure that it promotes harmonious labour relations and full productive employment.
“Another important pillar is also social justice at workplaces. We can achieve that social justice through dialogues and public education, labour markets services, law enforcement and dispute resolution,” he explained.
AN EXCHANGE OF WORDS
He said the rule of law must be adhered by all to because Namibia is democratic. Therefore the law is supreme.
“I want to make it clear to you, Mr Mukwiilongo, nobody is entitled to avoid the law of this country.”
This probed the members to shout at him, stating that he had done nothing in solving labour matters.
“But you are useless, minister,” Amushelelo told Nujoma before the meeting descended into chaos.
“You think you can come to any ministry and talk about what you want? That is not acceptable. You don’t have the floor,” a ministry representative shouted, while Amushelelo shouted across the room, saying, ‘This is not your house.’
He lamented that Nujoma is arrogant and thinks his office is his house.
“So he was trying to undermine our leadership and call us to order, but unfortunately, we do not report to him. We report to the Namibian people.”
As the meeting was adjourned, Amushelelo stressed: “I called him straight forward in the meeting that he is useless as a result he becomes very angry. And useless as he is, he called off the meeting.”
He concluded that the party would continue fighting for workers’ rights “We don’t care what the minister is saying. We will not be deterred by Uutoni Nujoma or his ministry. We will continue to advocate for workers’ welfare and their protection.”
