The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has come under fire following its decision not to pay full-time employees for work done as presenters.
It says its N$26-million cap for ‘artist fees’ is unsustainable.
According to sources, the broadcaster’s fees associated with presentation and overtime have reached an estimated N$26 million, forcing its management to consider cost-cutting measures for non-essential work.
They say this means full-time NBC workers who are also presenters will not be compensated for their presenting services.
Affected presenters include those hosting ‘Business Today’, ‘Eye on SADC’, ‘Good Morning Namibia’, ‘Situation Kritical’ and others.
“That is exploitation and the abuse of power by the management. How can we work for free? It’s not fair, because we understand the company got a N$26-million budget,” an employee says.
Some presenters have allegedly threatened to resign, while others are contemplating taking the matter to the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
The NBC has since denied any wrongdoing.
However, in a letter seen by The Namibian, chief news and programming officer Menesia Muinjo in response to some employees’ complaints, says artist fees are too high and need to be slashed in half.
“We are informed that our artist fees plus overtime are too high, estimated at N$26 million if I am not mistaken. We are supposed to slash that amount in half.
“We need fresh, unique and compelling content, to hook our audience – especially in view of additional platforms envisaged to be introduced. And this prime content means investing in such talent.
“We as the leadership, including you, must now come up with potential portions to reduce that amount,” she says.
Muinjo says another option is to cut the in-house presentation fee.
“This may again be a contradiction when it comes to on-air talent, because not everyone can present or has a particular on-air talent. That’s why contracts were signed with those having that special skill to reward the talent.”
BUSINESS SURVIVAL
According to the letter, Muinjo says the move is to ensure the NBC’s survival.
“We as a business are confronted by high overtime and artist fees. How do we mitigate that, to still have our shows on air and still say thank you to the team?
“I understand your disappointment, but the aim is not to undervalue or disregard the on-air talent, it’s an austerity measure for the business to survive while still tokening the in-house colleague. What would you have done if you were confronted by this task to halve the N$26 million?” she asked.
Muinjo last week referred questions to the NBC’s public relations (PR) team.
“I’ve been out of office for some time now. Kindly contact the PR office which usually handles business-related external queries,” she said.
NBC RESPONDS
Chief NBC commercial officer Nico Mwiya on Thursday said the broadcaster is currently reviewing budgetary provisions.
“NBC is currently undertaking an internal review centred around budgetary provisions that are still under discussion. This forms part of broader efforts to manage and contain costs in alignment with our operational needs and fiduciary responsibilities.
“The NBC was allocated a preliminary operational budget amounting to N$361.8 million.
“This amount is complemented by NBC’s own revenue streams. The freelancing cost is part of the direct operational cost linked to the operations of the business,” he said.
Mwiya said all budget allocations are subject to national financial controls and internal corporate governance.
“Final decisions on fund utilisation are guided by approved priorities and sustainability considerations.
What is equally important to note is that the NBC is actively looking into boarding the unemployed youth and graduates as part of the call made by our shareholder earlier this year – hence this realignment.
“Importantly, all NBC employees remain governed by their substantive contracts of employment.
As such, references to salary cuts are misplaced and do not reflect the current cost-alignment process. This information is distorted and does not reflect the truth in the matter,” he said.
Mwiya said the NBC remains committed to transparency, fairness, and long-term sustainability.
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