Government, Nantu renegotiate

GOVERNMENT and the Namibia National Teachers Union were back at the negotiating table on Wednesday night, soon after the Labour Court ruled that the teachers could go ahead with their industrial action.

Teachers across the country started an indefinite strike yesterday, demanding an 8% salary increase, after refusing to accept the government’s offer of 5%.

The government had approached the Labour Court to stop the strike but lost the case, a development that set the stage for the strike.

Sources told yesterday that the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, met Nantu soon after the Labour Court’s ruling to renegotiate.

According to the sources, the government offered Nantu a 6,5% salary increase, but still the union rejected the offer.

Although Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila could not confirm the meeting yesterday, she told the National Assembly that the government remains engaged with Nantu to find an amicable solution.

“May I, again, emphasise that the government is committed to have this matter resolved as soon as possible, and the outcome of the ongoing engagement will be communicated once a conclusion is reached,” she said.

Nantu leaders were not picking up calls, neither were they responding to text messages sent to them yesterday.

Presidential affairs minister Frans Kapofi said he knew nothing about the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office since he is not part of the negotiations.

He, however, said the meeting between Nantu and President Hage Geingob did not continue on Wednesday as expected. Kapofi could not say whether Geingob would still meet the Nantu leaders.

Ombudsman John Walters, who spoke on the matter for the first time on Monday, said government must meet the teachers’ demands.

“It is out of my hands. It is out of everybody’s hands. I hope the parties still find a way back to the negotiations. It is imperative to find a solution,” Walters stated.

The government has already postponed four examinations for Grade 10 and Grade 12 which were supposed to have been written yesterday and today.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila told the National Assembly that the postponement was until further notice, but that examinations set for Monday would go ahead as scheduled.

Some of Namibia’s examinations are linked to the Cambridge University International Examinations Board, but Graeme Curry, the board’s communications manager, yesterday declined to comment, citing confidentiality.

Curry referred all questions to the relevant authorities in Namibia.

* See also pages 6 & 7

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.