Namdeb workers brace for strike

MINEWORKERS Union of Namibia (MUN) says union members working for Namdeb have voted in favour of a strike.

This comes after talks to resolve a housing and utility allowances dispute between MUN and the company management deadlocked.MUN Oranjemund branch secretary, Gert Iikela, said half of the 1 203 union affiliated members have voted in favour of a strike by yesterday morning. The ballot strike was expected to be completed yesterday. ‘As we speak now, we’re only short of 20 members vote to gain the 50 plus per cent that will mandate the workers to go on a strike,’ Iikela said yesterday morning. At the centre of the dispute is the retention of housing and utility benefits which Bogenfels employees enjoyed but were to forfeit it once they move to other Namdeb operations. The company’s position was that affected employees would either have to choose between free company accommodation without housing and utility allowance or retain these and paying a minimal rent for company accommodation. However, the union wanted both, demanding that they retain the housing and utility benefits and free single accommodation. The union’s other proposal was that only employees who opted for a married accommodation, that is a company house, should be stripped of their allowances. In a statement issued yesterday, Namdeb Brand Manager, Pauline Thomas, said only 124 affected workers by the closure of the Bogenfels mine operations, were eligible to participate in the ballot strike. ‘This regulation was also confirmed by the Conciliator that only the affected Bogenfels employees are eligible for voting to embark on any industrial action,’ said Thomas. She added that the ballot would be illegal if it involves workers that were not affected by the closure of Bogenfels. But, the union is adamant that its affiliated members will partake in the ballot. The conciliator has issued unresolved dispute certificate yesterday paving the way for a strike, and the union and management were expected to meet yesterday to agree on the striking and picketing rules.- luqman@namibian.com.na