NovaNam workers end strike

WORKERS from the NovaNam fish processing factory at Lüderitz have ended a close to two-month crippling strike after union and company management clinched a wage deal on Friday.

The workers downed tools at the beginning of last month after wage talks became deadlocked.
The company suffered close to N$900 000 losses a day as a result of the industrial action, The Namibian was reliably informed.
The workers settled for a 6,5 per cent wage hike, less than their initial demand of 7,5 per cent across the board for permanent employees on level one to three and seamen earning an N$86,94 daily rate and below.
Employees on level four and above, and seamen earning above the N$86,94 daily rate, will receive a six per cent wage increase.
In addition, all permanent factory workers and seamen will receive a lump sum payment of N$675, instead of backpay from May 30 last year, plus bonus payments equivalent to 10 leave days.
The above-mentioned payments will be payable before February 10.
The agreement also covers protective clothing for factory workers, five working days of compassionate leave and an additional six leave days on top of the current leave days.
Workers doing duty in areas with sub-zero temperatures will also be entitled to a cold allowance of N$1,20 per hour worked, while seamen working on foreign vessels will receive an additional N$18,37 to their daily rate.