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Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - Web posted at 6:39:17 GMT NBC crippled by strike DENVER ISAACSNAMIBIAN Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) workers across the country went on strike yesterday with no indication on when the work stoppage will end. |
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Employees declared a dispute last week after the broadcaster failed to pay them a six per cent salary increase, which management agreed to last year. They are also calling for the immediate resignation of the Director General, Bob Kandetu, his management and the NBC's Board of Directors, accusing them of "downright corrupt practices". Approached for comment, Kandetu told The Namibian yesterday that efforts to address the salary issue had been under way even before the strike. "Government wanted a business plan from us, that was the only way they would agree to talk to us. That was done and in November it was submitted," Kandetu said. Discussions between the parastatal and Government were held in December, he added, and both had since been working on ways to come up with adequate funds. The NBC would soon announce a press conference to inform the public about the situation, Kandetu said. Kandetu was appointed as DG of the perennially troubled broadcaster in May 2006. Windhoek-based workers and those at satellite offices around the country reported for duty yesterday morning, but were not at their work stations. Instead they picketed on the premises. Since yesterday morning, all language services and the National Service were only playing music with occasional announcements that the services are experiencing problems. The strike has brought most of the normal programmes to an abrupt halt. Radio DJs, television reporters and cameramen joined the general support staff and members of the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) in protests at the NBC premises. National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda said in a petition to the NBC yesterday that workers were demanding outstanding salary increases and backpay which had been agreed to. A salary increase of six per cent had been promised to the workers for the 2007-2008 financial year, Kaaronda said, while workers were still owed backpay of nine per cent from 2003. "They claim not to have resources to pay out the six per cent increase, yet they spend unnecessary amounts on the chairman of the board to attend Heroes' Day celebrations, not on official business, but as an invitee from the regional council," Kaaronda alleged. "They claim there are ghost workers at the NBC, but let some staff members be on suspension for close to a year with full pay," the umbrella union leader said. He was referring to the man who accepted the workers' petition on behalf of management, Theo Karipi, who returned to active duty after eight months on paid suspension on corruption charges. The union also accused the public broadcaster of being beset by incompetent managers. Workers, Kaaronda said, would remain in front of the corporation's premise until all their demands are met. Kandetu said that until things returned to normal, the corporation would continue with as much programming as they were capable of in the absence of the workers. Workers have vowed not to return to work until their demands are fully met. Listeners to NBC radio complained yesterday that there had only been music throughout the day instead of the regular programming, a situation which is likely to continue today. In April, NBC workers staged peaceful demonstrations during lunch hour on Fridays over much of the same issues which have resulted in this week's strike. |
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