Namdeb, union agree on wages

NAMDEB and the Mineworkers’ Union of Namibia last week signed a new wage agreement making way for a 10 per cent across-the-board increase for more than two thirds of the employees of the diamond company.

The MUN represents around 70 per cent of the workforce at Namdeb and the agreement affect the conditional of employment for employees in the bargaining unit A1 to C3. The increase will be backdated to April 2007.Namdeb communications manager Ndeshi Hangula-Shikwambi said the agreement was for one year and strikes a balance between the business imperatives of Namdeb and the interest of its employees, given the challenging times faced by the company.Namdeb General Manager Chris Sivertsen commended both negotiating parties for a “good outcome and for adopting a mature approach during their long and tough negotiations”.”This is a good outcome, however, we need to be cautious of short-term good outcomes.With such a settlement, we all need to work together for the long term sustainable future of this mine,” he said.MUN Regional Chairman Eliphas Iita said the settlement was a positive sign of commitment and a mature negotiating approach.The increase will be backdated to April 2007.Namdeb communications manager Ndeshi Hangula-Shikwambi said the agreement was for one year and strikes a balance between the business imperatives of Namdeb and the interest of its employees, given the challenging times faced by the company.Namdeb General Manager Chris Sivertsen commended both negotiating parties for a “good outcome and for adopting a mature approach during their long and tough negotiations”.”This is a good outcome, however, we need to be cautious of short-term good outcomes.With such a settlement, we all need to work together for the long term sustainable future of this mine,” he said.MUN Regional Chairman Eliphas Iita said the settlement was a positive sign of commitment and a mature negotiating approach.