Abattoir workers reject new contract

TENSION is boiling among nearly 80 workers of the Aranos Abattoir over the signing of a new employment agreement.

Workers refused to sign the new contract. They claimed management of the company, known as Natural Namibian Meat Producers Company (NNMP), forced the new contract on them.A worker told The Namibian that they have until today to sign the contract or face dismissal.Owner of NNMP, Albie Smit, denied allegations of threatening workers with dismissal on refusal to sign the contract.The workers demanded employment benefits, including pension, yearly leave, yearly salary adjustments, overtime, medical aid, transport and a change in their daily meals.Smit said pension, medical aid, housing, and changes in meal benefits are not negotiable.The only difference between the amended and the old contract is that more emphasis is placed on hygiene and a worker’s code of conduct, Smit said.He said the company is unable to slaughter at full capacity, “thus our profit making is less, (so) we are unable to meet some demands of the workers.”The company began operations last year and currently is slaughtering 2 000 sheep a week.If they worked at full capacity they could slaughter 5 000 a week, Smit said.Smit said drought conditions contributed to slaughtering below full capacity.The fact that livestock are exported on the hoof also plays a role, since it handicaps supply to local abattoirs.Workers would be given ample time to sign the agreement before action is taken against them, he said.They claimed management of the company, known as Natural Namibian Meat Producers Company (NNMP), forced the new contract on them.A worker told The Namibian that they have until today to sign the contract or face dismissal.Owner of NNMP, Albie Smit, denied allegations of threatening workers with dismissal on refusal to sign the contract.The workers demanded employment benefits, including pension, yearly leave, yearly salary adjustments, overtime, medical aid, transport and a change in their daily meals.Smit said pension, medical aid, housing, and changes in meal benefits are not negotiable.The only difference between the amended and the old contract is that more emphasis is placed on hygiene and a worker’s code of conduct, Smit said.He said the company is unable to slaughter at full capacity, “thus our profit making is less, (so) we are unable to meet some demands of the workers.”The company began operations last year and currently is slaughtering 2 000 sheep a week.If they worked at full capacity they could slaughter 5 000 a week, Smit said.Smit said drought conditions contributed to slaughtering below full capacity.The fact that livestock are exported on the hoof also plays a role, since it handicaps supply to local abattoirs.Workers would be given ample time to sign the agreement before action is taken against them, he said.