He yesterday said according to law, healthcare providers are not allowed to take part in any industrial action, and doing so would be illegal.
This comes as more than 42 000 civil servants, including healthcare workers, over the weekend voted in favour of industrial action after the government refused their demand for a salary increment.
Public servants want a 9% increase on their basic salary and housing benefit, as well as a 10% hike in their transport benefit.
“Providers of essential services are precluded from the strike so that we do not foresee a situation where people who are precluded from striking by law actually engage in strike action.
“That would mean it is against the law, and it would be illegal,” Nangombe said.
He said if public sector employees strike it would negatively impact the health ministry.
“Any interruption elsewhere could have a negative impact on the service we provide to the public as per essential services as defined in the Labour Act,” Nangombe said.
Namibia Nurses Union (Nanu) secretary general Junias Shilunga, however, last week said nurses are allowed to participate in a strike, as long as they still provide the minimum service.
Shilunga spoke at a joint press conference with the Public Service Union of Namibia (Psun) and Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna).
“For example: If we are 10 working in a ward catering for 30 patients, what we are saying is that three nurses could cater to these patients, just to allow the service to continue, but on a minimal basis so nurses are protected to go on strike,” he said.
'RESPECT EMPLOYEES'
Trade unions in support of the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) and the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) last week said the government's response to civil servants' demands, saying it cannot afford to increase their salaries, is “irresponsible”.
Paul Situmba, assistant general secretary at the Mine Workers Union of Namibia, said the government is subjecting itself to public scrutiny by admitting there is no money.
“How can you tell your children there is no money in the house? It's very irresponsible,” he said.
Situmba said because of Namibia's abundant natural resources, there is no excuse for poverty, unemployment, and talk of a lack of money.
“The government should mobilise investment and ownership of our natural resources, and prioritise its employees” he said.
He said the government should liaise with unions on an annual basis on the problems faced by its labour force.
General secretary of the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union Justina Jonas shared Situmba's sentiments, saying every Namibian should support the strike.
Jonas said the government sets a bad example by claiming it cannot afford increments, while private sector employers can.
“If you (government) as an employer do not set an example to private sector employers, it will be a shame,” Jonas said.
She said the government should not play cat-and-mouse games during negotiations with Nantu and Napwu.
EDUCATION MINISTRY
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture issued a circular instructing regional education directors to craft a plan to recover the two days teachers missed last week due to the voting process.
The ministry closed public schools on 28 and 29 July to allow teachers to vote on the strike.
“Obviously, teaching time was lost. On that basis, the circular is very clear: The days should be compensated for,” executive director of education, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp said.
Steenkamp said schools could consider the extension of teaching hours on future designated days to recoup the days missed.
NO-PAY CONSEQUENCES
Labour expert Sydwill Scholtz this week warned that if the government cannot afford increases, lay-offs could be lurking.
“If it is merely a case of the government not wanting to grant the increases sought, then it would be a different ball game. The only way to avert a strike would be to heed to the demands of the workers, but this cannot and should not be done at the expense of the economy,” he said.
Scholtz said employers need to be cognisant of the increasing cost of living, especially when salaries do not keep up with inflation.
