Nored strike: Eight Namibian regions face power blackouts as workers down tools 

Northern Regional Electricity Distributor employees in eight regions have commenced a nationwide strike over salary disputes, threatening widespread power disruptions and significant economic consequences for local businesses.

The Oshana, Omusati, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Kunene, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions are on the verge of being plunged into darkness after the workers downed tools yesterday.

Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) regional organiser Reginald Kock yesterday said workers at the Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Opuwo, Ongwediva, Ondangwa, Ohangwena, Eenhana, Okongo, Nkurenkuru, Kongola, Outapi, and Okahao centres have stopped working in pursuit of their “legitimate and lawful demands”.

“Our members remain united and resolute in calling for a 6% salary adjustment and the payment of a 14th cheque, demands that are reasonable, affordable, and long overdue. Workers have shown patience and have exhausted internal engagement processes. The strike represents a last resort in the defence of their economic dignity,” he said.

Kock said all the affected centres would remain closed until a fair resolution is reached.

A Nored employee who preferred to remain anonymous due to fear of victimization yesterday said the workers will not return to work until their demands are met.

“Down Nored, down! For years, we have demanded the board to hear our pleas, but they refuse to increase our salaries. We are drowning in debt because our salaries are too little.

“We want Nored’s management, together with the board, to increase our salaries as a matter of urgency. We will not back down or surrender until our demands are met,” the worker said.

The impending strike would, however, damage the regions’ economies.

Many restaurants, bars, warehouses, butcheries, schools, and hotels are likely to bear the brunt if the strike persists.

Martin Nembia, a restaurant owner at Ondangwa, says he will not be able to make any sales if the power goes off.

“Some employees should at least be working,” he says.

Nored spokesperson Simon Lukas yesterday said the distributor’s service could potentially be disrupted.

He said the MUN, representing the employees, has commenced with industrial action at all Nored’s offices in the regions yesterday.

“We anticipate that this action will result in reduced staff availability, which may impact our ability to timely respond to power failures, maintenance and operational issues, vending service, not answering calls in the call centre, delays in processing of payments, and other customer service requests,” he said.

Lukas said as an essential service provider, Nored’s priority is the safety of the communities and the continuity of electricity supply to its customers.

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