Filipinos at Ramatex press demands

FILIPINO workers at the Ramatex Textile Factory in Windhoek yesterday resumed working overtime after downing tools last week to protest against poor salaries.

The Namibian understands that the workers are unhappy about the factory’s practice of paying their salaries in Namibia dollars. The workers have agreed to work normal as well as overtime hours until Friday, when the factory’s management is expected to respond to their demands.Ramatex employs about 700 Filipino workers.At least 500 workers in factories A and B, refused to work overtime for at least four days last week during one of the plant’s peak production times.About 80 Filipino workers at a Ramatex’s subsidiary, Rhino Garments, also joined the protest.In terms of their work contracts, they should be paid a monthly salary of US$200.However the factory has being paying them the Namibian equivalent.With the fluctuating exchange rate this has left them with N$1 200.When some of their contracts were negotiated two years ago, the exchange rate stood at as much as N$10 to one US$.Workers are now demanding that they either be paid in US dollars or that the factory pay them a flat rate of N$7 to a US dollar irrespective of currency fluctuations.However, they want their overtime to be paid in Namibia dollars.Many are known to send their monthly salaries home, while living off their overtime remuneration.A senior official at the factory, who declined to be named, said yesterday that the situation could not be considered a problem.According to him, last week’s industrial action was as the result of a “small misunderstanding”.He said the factory had received requests from workers to make changes to their conditions of employment.However, the factory’s position on the matter could not be discussed, he said.The issue, he added, would be ironed out during the course of this week.Should their demands not be met, a spokesperson for the group said they would consider only working half a day no over time in future.The factory is highly dependent on overtime workers to reach its production levels in peak seasons, such as now when they are aiming to meet the demands of overseas buyers in preparation for the change in season.At the moment, the factory is shipping as many 40 containers a week – four times as much as it does during slower seasons.In December, Filipino workers took issue with the factory over poor wages in light of being expected to pay for certain medical costs.The workers have agreed to work normal as well as overtime hours until Friday, when the factory’s management is expected to respond to their demands.Ramatex employs about 700 Filipino workers.At least 500 workers in factories A and B, refused to work overtime for at least four days last week during one of the plant’s peak production times.About 80 Filipino workers at a Ramatex’s subsidiary, Rhino Garments, also joined the protest.In terms of their work contracts, they should be paid a monthly salary of US$200.However the factory has being paying them the Namibian equivalent.With the fluctuating exchange rate this has left them with N$1 200.When some of their contracts were negotiated two years ago, the exchange rate stood at as much as N$10 to one US$.Workers are now demanding that they either be paid in US dollars or that the factory pay them a flat rate of N$7 to a US dollar irrespective of currency fluctuations.However, they want their overtime to be paid in Namibia dollars.Many are known to send their monthly salaries home, while living off their overtime remuneration.A senior official at the factory, who declined to be named, said yesterday that the situation could not be considered a problem.According to him, last week’s industrial action was as the result of a “small misunderstanding”.He said the factory had received requests from workers to make changes to their conditions of employment.However, the factory’s position on the matter could not be discussed, he said.The issue, he added, would be ironed out during the course of this week.Should their demands not be met, a spokesperson for the group said they would consider only working half a day no over time in future.The factory is highly dependent on overtime workers to reach its production levels in peak seasons, such as now when they are aiming to meet the demands of overseas buyers in preparation for the change in season.At the moment, the factory is shipping as many 40 containers a week – four times as much as it does during slower seasons.In December, Filipino workers took issue with the factory over poor wages in light of being expected to pay for certain medical costs.