Last-ditch bid to resolve Rosh Pinah mine dispute

KEETMANSHOOP – The Metal and Allied Namibian Workers’ Union (Manwu) and the Roads Authority (RA) are at loggerheads over the treatment of about 200 workers building the road between Rosh Pinah and Aus.

Manwu claims that the RA failed to stipulate in its contract that the contractors should provide workers with accommodation, food, and a living allowance and transport allowance for off-days. A meeting held last week between Manwu, the RA, Namibia Roads, its sub-contractors and VKE Namibia Consulting Engineers failed to reach agreement on the union’s demands.They will meet Transport Minister Moses Amweelo in Windhoek today in a last attempt to resolve the matter amicably.VKE Namibia Consulting Engineers claimed at the meeting that the contractors have no obligations to provide these benefits, as the workers were recruited locally in Rosh Pinah.They would only be obliged to provide food and lodging if the workers were recruited elsewhere or were expected to live at the construction sites, it said.The Manwu Regional Organiser in the Karas Region, Raymond Koopman, believes most of the workers flocked to Rosh Pinah from all over the country when they heard that recruitment would take place.Koopman told Nampa that the majority are living in cramped conditions with relatives and friends already employed at the mining town.Others are squatting illegally, he said.He noted that Rosh Pinah is not a proclaimed town, but a mining town in private ownership, and thus does not have permanent residents.”Therefore, all employees should be provided with accommodation by their employers,” he said.In an earlier communication with the RA, the union said it would have to follow the dispute procedures of the Labour Act if its demands are not met.- NampaA meeting held last week between Manwu, the RA, Namibia Roads, its sub-contractors and VKE Namibia Consulting Engineers failed to reach agreement on the union’s demands.They will meet Transport Minister Moses Amweelo in Windhoek today in a last attempt to resolve the matter amicably.VKE Namibia Consulting Engineers claimed at the meeting that the contractors have no obligations to provide these benefits, as the workers were recruited locally in Rosh Pinah.They would only be obliged to provide food and lodging if the workers were recruited elsewhere or were expected to live at the construction sites, it said.The Manwu Regional Organiser in the Karas Region, Raymond Koopman, believes most of the workers flocked to Rosh Pinah from all over the country when they heard that recruitment would take place.Koopman told Nampa that the majority are living in cramped conditions with relatives and friends already employed at the mining town.Others are squatting illegally, he said.He noted that Rosh Pinah is not a proclaimed town, but a mining town in private ownership, and thus does not have permanent residents.”Therefore, all employees should be provided with accommodation by their employers,” he said.In an earlier communication with the RA, the union said it would have to follow the dispute procedures of the Labour Act if its demands are not met.- Nampa