THE National Union of Namibian Workers has accused Government of deliberately turning a blind eye to gross labour law violations by the Malaysian-run Ramatex textile factory.
The umbrella union on Friday threatened to call a strike at the factory if the living conditions of the nearly 400 Bangladeshi workers were not improved. NUNW Deputy Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda said the workers’ union would continue to pressurise involved parties to ensure justice for the workers.”Ramatex must be reminded that their presence here is not value free.There are rules in this country that they should abide by.They are not a special case,” he said at a press conference.The union said it was preparing to launch an international protest campaign against the Ramatex-Berhad group for its continuous violation of workers’ rights.The NUNW said it was unacceptable that Government allowed the factory to operate as if it were above the law.”What we found [at Ramatex] caused us disbelief and outrage,” said the union’s first Vice President Alphaus Muheua.A press conference was called to discuss findings of investigations the union carried out following an article published by The Namibian a month ago on the plight of the factory’s Bangladeshi workers.”As Namibians we are embarrassed that our country can be the host to such abuses of human rights.”Ramatex admitted fault in not ensuring that the agency it had contracted to meet the living expectations of the workers, were keeping to the deal.”We trusted the agency too much and that’s why we neglected to investigate ourselves,” said Ramatex Senior Manager Khayhiang Lim yesterday.The union said it suspected high-level corruption in the granting of work permits to the foreigners questioning why the company was being permitted to employ so many foreign unskilled workers, when the work could instead be done by Namibians.”This stands in sharp contrast to Namibia’s immigration laws and practices, which are meant to ensure jobs for Namibians,” said Muheua.Lim said the company had been tricked into believing that it would be employing skilled workers and that their inefficiencies were only picked up once they began working at the factory.”Why would we bring unskilled workers when we can use Namibians?,” she asked.Lim said that as the company expanded it was necessary to employ skilled foreign workers to help train locals to do the work.The factory has a workforce of 8 000 – 1 892 of whom are Filipino and Asian workers, technical staff and management.The NUNW has demanded that the offices of the Ombudsman, the Prosecutor General and the Labour Commissioner investigate the influx of foreigners at the factory.”There is no time to waste as we might uncover a web of dubious operators and shady deals,” Muheua said, claiming that there were vested interests at stake.The union alleged that certain officials wanted the court case launched by the factory’s first group of Bangladeshi workers against their immediate dismissal from the factory to collapse, to conceal their operations.The NUNW said the experiences of the Bangladeshi workers point to an international syndicate of labour brokers who engage in human trafficking.The union has likened the situation to syndicates which offer young women in Eastern Europe and South East Asia seemingly attractive jobs (or husbands) and then sell them into the sex trade.Investigations by the union have revealed that as much US$21 million in undocumented payments were allegedly made in the instance of the Bangladeshi workers who have come to Namibia.”When workers stand up for their rights, some Government officials and ministries point to the need for protection of the national interest? What is meant by this? If it means excluding workers’ rights and trampling on their dignity, does Government believe that the national interest is the same like the interest of corporations?” the NUNW asked.NUNW Deputy Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda said the workers’ union would continue to pressurise involved parties to ensure justice for the workers.”Ramatex must be reminded that their presence here is not value free.There are rules in this country that they should abide by.They are not a special case,” he said at a press conference.The union said it was preparing to launch an international protest campaign against the Ramatex-Berhad group for its continuous violation of workers’ rights.The NUNW said it was unacceptable that Government allowed the factory to operate as if it were above the law.”What we found [at Ramatex] caused us disbelief and outrage,” said the union’s first Vice President Alphaus Muheua.A press conference was called to discuss findings of investigations the union carried out following an article published by The Namibian a month ago on the plight of the factory’s Bangladeshi workers.”As Namibians we are embarrassed that our country can be the host to such abuses of human rights.”Ramatex admitted fault in not ensuring that the agency it had contracted to meet the living expectations of the workers, were keeping to the deal.”We trusted the agency too much and that’s why we neglected to investigate ourselves,” said Ramatex Senior Manager Khayhiang Lim yesterday.The union said it suspected high-level corruption in the granting of work permits to the foreigners questioning why the company was being permitted to employ so many foreign unskilled workers, when the work could instead be done by Namibians.”This stands in sharp contrast to Namibia’s immigration laws and practices, which are meant to ensure jobs for Namibians,” said Muheua.Lim said the company had been tricked into believing that it would be employing skilled workers and that their inefficiencies were only picked up once they began working at the factory.”Why would we bring unskilled workers when we can use Namibians?,” she asked.Lim said that as the company expanded it was necessary to employ skilled foreign workers to help train locals to do the work.The factory has a workforce of 8 000 – 1 892 of whom are Filipino and Asian workers, technical staff and management.The NUNW has demanded that the offices of the Ombudsman, the Prosecutor General and the Labour Commissioner investigate the influx of foreigners at the factory.”There is no time to waste as we might uncover a web of dubious operators and shady deals,” Muheua said, claiming that there were vested interests at stake.The union alleged that certain officials wanted the court case launched by the factory’s first group of Bangladeshi workers against their immediate dismissal from the factory to collapse, to conceal their operations.The NUNW said the experiences of the Bangladeshi workers point to an international syndicate of labour brokers who engage in human trafficking.The union has likened the situation to syndicates which offer young women in Eastern Europe and South East Asia seemingly attractive jobs (or husbands) and then sell them into the sex trade.Investigations by the union have revealed that as much US$21 million in undocumented payments were allegedly made in the instance of the Bangladeshi workers who have come to Namibia.”When workers stand up for their rights, some Government officials and ministries point to the need for protection of the national interest? What is meant by this? If it means excluding workers’ rights and trampling on their dignity, does Government believe that the national interest is the same like the interest of corporations?” the NUNW asked.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!