Herbert Jauch: We want to build a society

Herbert Jauch is known to many Namibians, South Africans, Zimbabweans and other Africans as a dedicated trade union thinker who has been singularly consistent in advocating the interests of workers and the poor.

His integrity as a ‘working-class hero’ is often spoken about in labour and political circles, and it is acknowledged as a fundamental part of his intellectual anatomy. But while he has been firm in his no-nonsense approach to the owners of capital and their role in society, he has been equally critical of organised labour movements, especially those that have aligned themselves with dominant political parties.Born in Germany, Jauch came to Namibia in the mid-1980s.He taught at Jakob Marengo Tutorial College, which was then based in Khomasdal, and started working on worker-based issues after 1995.He was instrumental in creating the Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRI), and was its first director and resigned his post last year.He has seen the labour think-tank through its most difficult and challenging times, and is now the organisation’s senior researcher.Jauch is married to Lucy with whom he has three children.Their home is in Windhoek.The Namibian’s Nangula Shejavali had a wide-ranging interview with Jauch.The Namibian (TN): LaRRI just celebrated its 10th anniversary.Where did it all start, and what is the institute’s scope today? Herbert Jauch (HJ): LaRRI was an initiative of the labour movement, so it has a particular social base; and it was started with the idea to do research for all the unions.But it had no funding, and so they were looking at ways in which this could be done.In 1997, Ranga Haikali, who was the General Secretary of the National Union Namibian Workers at the time, asked me if I would be interested in starting this institution, with its own board of trustees.The idea was that it shouldn’t be linked to only one union.During the first year, the media didn’t know about us, and people were sceptical, but after launching our first study on Namibian union history in 1999, this changed.We then did two studies on the EPZ and on labour-hire companies, which we tabled at the Tripartite Union Council.This gave a public profile of the country’s labour situation, and this angered government, but it was based on workers’ interests and social justice, so we were not afraid.These first three reports set the stage for LaRRI, and we started to receive more requests for worker education programmes.In 2002, we started a Labour Diploma Course, which was accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority in 2007, and has successfully attracted a whole spectrum of workers.Over the years, LaRRI has become increasingly active in the SADC region and continentally, and in 2001 we became a founder member of the Africa Labour Research Network, which conducts policy-related research for labour movements.We are also involved with the organisation, Alternatives to Neo-liberalism in Southern Africa (Ansa), which questions policies, and presents alternatives to these.So our links are now continental and beyond.TN: During LaRRI’s 10thAnniversary Celebrations, a question on the relevance of trade unions came to the fore.How relevant are trade unions in Namibia today? HJ: Trade unions are relevant as long as they are able to address the problems that workers face at the workplace and outside the workplace.TN: And where politics is concerned? HJ: With regards to politics, it is essential that trade unions get involved where workers are affected, for example, with privatisation of companies.But there are also other issues where unions have questionably got involved.With regards to getting involved in party politics, it is not healthy for workers, and is divisive.There is a need to build unity within the unions, so responding to policy issues is important, but not party politics.TN: The past successes of trade unions, particularly pre-independence, has been a big theme in the celebrations.Is a rejuvenation of trade unions necessary, and is it possible? HJ: A rejuventation is both necessary and possible.Necessary because so many issues remain to be tackled, especially on exploitative labour practices.It is also possible because if unions take up these matters, they will be strengthening their own structures.Unions can certainly become vibrant again if they focus on their members.TN: Women and youth have been identified as groups with limited representation in trade unions.How can unions respond to them? HJ: Unions have been historically male dominated.But the workforce is changing – Ramatex and Lev live Diamonds are clear examples of this – and therefore unions need to change to be relevant to this workforce.They need to look at their specific needs, and to also bring in new young members.On worker control, women also need to be a driving force in the process, to attract more women into the unions.This can be done! The Namibia National Teachers’ Union is an example of this, where the first executive was mostly made up of men.A women caucus was introduced, and within a few years, women were becoming a part of the executive structure.And it wasn’t just window dressing, but a truly gender-sensitive structure.TN: Many Namibian trade unions are beginning to create business arms within their structures.What is LaRRI’s take on this? HJ: Some time ago we actually had a discussion paper on this, because this is not unique to Namibia.Our position was that it can be tricky for unions to operate business arms because when unions become shareholders, it presents a conflict of interest.So we’ve warned strongly against this.We’ve also advised that union leaders should not sit on company boards because it dilutes the role of unions workers.If they want to go into investments, a possible avenue is to set clear criteria on what types of companies they invest in.For example, investing only in companies with sound labour relations, and that take workers’ interests to heart.TN: Has this been the case with union business arms in Namibia? HJ: Unfortunately no.And these investment or business arms are not strengthening the unions.In fact, they dilute many of their mandates, because they have one leg in the union, and one leg in the company.TN: What is the workers’ take on this? HJ: It seems it has only been discussed with a few members.Workers have their doubts and questions, and they don’t know exactly how they benefit.Transparency is an issue here.It has happened where union leaders have acquired shares in their own names, and there’s no doubt that there needs to be a clear separation in this regard.TN: Your thoughts on the new Labour Act of 2007? HJ: Overall, it’s better than the old one.It will be interesting to see some of its elements put in practice, such as dispute resolution, whereby conciliation and arbitration are being used.Employers are arguing about the extra leave days.Unions are happy that labour hire has been outlawed, as it was seen as being against economic development in the country.Some things have been ignored in the new labour act – for example, the Kameeta Commission on Tenure Rights does not feature in the new law.So, there are issues that both employees and employers may not be happy about, but overall, it’s better than the previous Act.TN: LaRRI has been quite involved in the Basic Income Grant (BIG) initiative, and it’s already started to bear fruit with the Otjivero-Omitara pilot study.HJ: Yes, the BIG presents an immediate benefit for families, especially given the close links between city and rural families.For one who earns something, the extra amount of money may not be huge, but for someone earning very little or nothing, it goes a long way.With family/social responsibility, wages need to be able to cover more people, and the BIG definitely eases some of this pressure.TN: Are the unions supportive? HJ: They are, and they should support the initiative.So far, they have signed up as coalition members.TN: The church has been taking up more of a social stance (in the conception of BIG), which some would argue should be the task of the unions.Do you think that the roles of the church a
nd the unions are (against) or complementary to each other? HJ: They are complementing each other.A great example of this was in the 1980s when the unions were working closely with the Council of Churches in Namibia.For the first time, we have something similar with BIG, with a common goal to fight poverty.The churches are reawakening to social responsibility, and along with unions are one of the biggest organisations.Together, the churches and the unions really have strength in numbers if they take the fight against poverty head on.TN: How do unions represent the unemployed? HJ: The unemployed are not represented at all by unions.As soon as one loses his or her job, membership in the union is lost as well.TN: Should unions be involved in this regard though? HJ: Representing the unemployed would require a different approach.Perhaps as a lobby group, or something of the sort, because with the unemployed, you can’t really organise strikes.The unemployed might be better represented by other organisations, and it may help for unions to work with such a coalition.TN: How about the involvement of SMEs in Namibia? HJ: SMEs are not represented well in Namibian trade unions.Unionisation rates are very low, and this is something that should be addressed.TN: Where do you see the future for Namibian trade unions? HJ: Our trade unions need a movement from below, where workers gain control over the unions as well.The guiding principles can’t come from the top.Workers need to own unions, and need to be adequately represented by them.This is a medium-term process though, but workers need to have the courage to fight for their rights within unions as their silence is being exploited.TN: And what about LaRRI’s future? HJ: LaRRI will continue to assist in making trade unions vibrant organisations.However, changes inside the unions have to come from the workers themselves, and this is where our limits lie.We can help unions improve their performance, particularly where they have research and education needs.This is where LaRRI comes to the fore.Our second leg is in fighting for social justice, and LaRRI will continue to oppose policies or practices that are exploitative.New ideas and ways of thinking are also coming to LaRRI, and its role could change in the next 10 years.But essentially, we want to build a society based on social justice, and so far, we have not sacrificed our principles for opportunism.Brief Resumé: * Born in Germany, 1959 * MA in Political Studies * Director of LaRRI: 1999 to 2007 * Research Officer at International Labour Resource and Information Group * Teacher at Jakob Marengo Tutorial CollegeBut while he has been firm in his no-nonsense approach to the owners of capital and their role in society, he has been equally critical of organised labour movements, especially those that have aligned themselves with dominant political parties.Born in Germany, Jauch came to Namibia in the mid-1980s.He taught at Jakob Marengo Tutorial College, which was then based in Khomasdal, and started working on worker-based issues after 1995.He was instrumental in creating the Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRI), and was its first director and resigned his post last year.He has seen the labour think-tank through its most difficult and challenging times, and is now the organisation’s senior researcher.Jauch is married to Lucy with whom he has three children.Their home is in Windhoek. The Namibian’s Nangula Shejavali had a wide-ranging interview with Jauch.The Namibian (TN): LaRRI just celebrated its 10th anniversary.Where did it all start, and what is the institute’s scope today? Herbert Jauch (HJ): LaRRI was an initiative of the labour movement, so it has a particular social base; and it was started with the idea to do research for all the unions.But it had no funding, and so they were looking at ways in which this could be done.In 1997, Ranga Haikali, who was the General Secretary of the National Union Namibian Workers at the time, asked me if I would be interested in starting this institution, with its own board of trustees.The idea was that it shouldn’t be linked to only one union.During the first year, the media didn’t know about us, and people were sceptical, but after launching our first study on Namibian union history in 1999, this changed.We then did two studies on the EPZ and on labour-hire companies, which we tabled at the Tripartite Union Council.This gave a public profile of the country’s labour situation, and this angered government, but it was based on workers’ interests and social justice, so we were not afraid.These first three reports set the stage for LaRRI, and we started to receive more requests for worker education programmes.In 2002, we started a Labour Diploma Course, which was accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority in 2007, and has successfully attracted a whole spectrum of workers.Over the years, LaRRI has become increasingly active in the SADC region and continentally, and in 2001 we became a founder member of the Africa Labour Research Network, which conducts policy-related research for labour movements.We are also involved with the organisation, Alternatives to Neo-liberalism in Southern Africa (Ansa), which questions policies, and presents alternatives to these.So our links are now continental and beyond.TN: During LaRRI’s 10thAnniversary Celebrations, a question on the relevance of trade unions came to the fore.How relevant are trade unions in Namibia today? HJ: Trade unions are relevant as long as they are able to address the problems that workers face at the workplace and outside the workplace. TN: And where politics is concerned? HJ: With regards to politics, it is essential that trade unions get involved where workers are affected, for example, with privatisation of companies.But there are also other issues where unions have questionably got involved.With regards to getting involved in party politics, it is not healthy for workers, and is divisive.There is a need to build unity within the unions, so responding to policy issues is important, but not party politics.TN: The past successes of trade unions, particularly pre-independence, has been a big theme in the celebrations.Is a rejuvenation of trade unions necessary, and is it possible? HJ: A rejuventation is both necessary and possible.Necessary because so many issues remain to be tackled, especially on exploitative labour practices.It is also possible because if unions take up these matters, they will be strengthening their own structures.Unions can certainly become vibrant again if they focus on their members.TN: Women and youth have been identified as groups with limited representation in trade unions.How can unions respond to them? HJ: Unions have been historically male dominated.But the workforce is changing – Ramatex and Lev live Diamonds are clear examples of this – and therefore unions need to change to be relevant to this workforce.They need to look at their specific needs, and to also bring in new young members.On worker control, women also need to be a driving force in the process, to attract more women into the unions.This can be done! The Namibia National Teachers’ Union is an example of this, where the first executive was mostly made up of men.A women caucus was introduced, and within a few years, women were becoming a part of the executive structure.And it wasn’t just window dressing, but a truly gender-sensitive structure.TN: Many Namibian trade unions are beginning to create business arms within their structures.What is LaRRI’s take on this? HJ: Some time ago we actually had a discussion paper on this, because this is not unique to Namibia.Our position was that it can be tricky for unions to operate business arms because when unions become shareholders, it presents a conflict of interest.So we’ve warned strongly against this.We’ve also advised that union leaders should not sit on company boards because it dilutes the role of unions workers.If they want to go into investments, a possible avenue is to set clear criteria on what types of companies they invest in.For example, investing only in companies with sound labour relatio
ns, and that take workers’ interests to heart.TN: Has this been the case with union business arms in Namibia? HJ: Unfortunately no.And these investment or business arms are not strengthening the unions.In fact, they dilute many of their mandates, because they have one leg in the union, and one leg in the company.TN: What is the workers’ take on this? HJ: It seems it has only been discussed with a few members.Workers have their doubts and questions, and they don’t know exactly how they benefit.Transparency is an issue here.It has happened where union leaders have acquired shares in their own names, and there’s no doubt that there needs to be a clear separation in this regard.TN: Your thoughts on the new Labour Act of 2007? HJ: Overall, it’s better than the old one.It will be interesting to see some of its elements put in practice, such as dispute resolution, whereby conciliation and arbitration are being used.Employers are arguing about the extra leave days.Unions are happy that labour hire has been outlawed, as it was seen as being against economic development in the country.Some things have been ignored in the new labour act – for example, the Kameeta Commission on Tenure Rights does not feature in the new law.So, there are issues that both employees and employers may not be happy about, but overall, it’s better than the previous Act.TN: LaRRI has been quite involved in the Basic Income Grant (BIG) initiative, and it’s already started to bear fruit with the Otjivero-Omitara pilot study.HJ: Yes, the BIG presents an immediate benefit for families, especially given the close links between city and rural families.For one who earns something, the extra amount of money may not be huge, but for someone earning very little or nothing, it goes a long way.With family/social responsibility, wages need to be able to cover more people, and the BIG definitely eases some of this pressure.TN: Are the unions supportive? HJ: They are, and they should support the initiative.So far, they have signed up as coalition members.TN: The church has been taking up more of a social stance (in the conception of BIG), which some would argue should be the task of the unions.Do you think that the roles of the church and the unions are (against) or complementary to each other? HJ: They are complementing each other.A great example of this was in the 1980s when the unions were working closely with the Council of Churches in Namibia.For the first time, we have something similar with BIG, with a common goal to fight poverty.The churches are reawakening to social responsibility, and along with unions are one of the biggest organisations.Together, the churches and the unions really have strength in numbers if they take the fight against poverty head on.TN: How do unions represent the unemployed? HJ: The unemployed are not represented at all by unions.As soon as one loses his or her job, membership in the union is lost as well.TN: Should unions be involved in this regard though? HJ: Representing the unemployed would require a different approach.Perhaps as a lobby group, or something of the sort, because with the unemployed, you can’t really organise strikes.The unemployed might be better represented by other organisations, and it may help for unions to work with such a coalition.TN: How about the involvement of SMEs in Namibia? HJ: SMEs are not represented well in Namibian trade unions.Unionisation rates are very low, and this is something that should be addressed. TN: Where do you see the future for Namibian trade unions? HJ: Our trade unions need a movement from below, where workers gain control over the unions as well.The guiding principles can’t come from the top.Workers need to own unions, and need to be adequately represented by them.This is a medium-term process though, but workers need to have the courage to fight for their rights within unions as their silence is being exploited.TN: And what about LaRRI’s future? HJ: LaRRI will continue to assist in making trade unions vibrant organisations.However, changes inside the unions have to come from the workers themselves, and this is where our limits lie.We can help unions improve their performance, particularly where they have research and education needs.This is where LaRRI comes to the fore.Our second leg is in fighting for social justice, and LaRRI will continue to oppose policies or practices that are exploitative.New ideas and ways of thinking are also coming to LaRRI, and its role could change in the next 10 years.But essentially, we want to build a society based on social justice, and so far, we have not sacrificed our principles for opportunism. Brief Resumé: * Born in Germany, 1959 * MA in Political Studies * Director of LaRRI: 1999 to 2007 * Research Officer at International Labour Resource and Information Group * Teacher at Jakob Marengo Tutorial College