NUNW wants to regenerate May Day commemoration

THE National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) is contemplating radical changes to the way it marks May Day, says a top unionist.

NUNW acting Secretary General Peter Naholo on Friday conceded that since Independence participation in May Day activities in Namibia had been disappointing. “We have been struggling to attract workers to May Day rallies in recent years.It’s a worrying factor.We will change our strategy to address this cancer,” he told a press briefing in Windhoek.Naholo, who was speaking a week before Namibian workers join millions of others worldwide in observing Workers’ Day on May 1, attributed the apathy to the closeness of the day to the Cassinga Day holiday.”The situation in Namibia is quite unique compared to our neighbours… we have a public holiday too close to May Day,” he complained.”People tend to take extended leave and only return after the Cassinga holiday.Unfortunately they don’t use these days to take part in May Day activities.”The union leader announced that more than 10 000 NUNW members in the northern regions, including the Caprivi, would take part in the construction of the Tsumeb-Oshikango railway line on Saturday as part of workers’ day.”This is project geared towards national development and, as workers, we cannot sit idle.We have to make our contribution,” Naholo said.This year, the NUNW plans to hold only two main rallies: in Windhoek and at Outjo.A delegation from the Cuban workers’ federation is expected to arrive here later this week to participate in the May Day commemoration.”We have been struggling to attract workers to May Day rallies in recent years.It’s a worrying factor.We will change our strategy to address this cancer,” he told a press briefing in Windhoek.Naholo, who was speaking a week before Namibian workers join millions of others worldwide in observing Workers’ Day on May 1, attributed the apathy to the closeness of the day to the Cassinga Day holiday.”The situation in Namibia is quite unique compared to our neighbours… we have a public holiday too close to May Day,” he complained.”People tend to take extended leave and only return after the Cassinga holiday.Unfortunately they don’t use these days to take part in May Day activities.”The union leader announced that more than 10 000 NUNW members in the northern regions, including the Caprivi, would take part in the construction of the Tsumeb-Oshikango railway line on Saturday as part of workers’ day.”This is project geared towards national development and, as workers, we cannot sit idle.We have to make our contribution,” Naholo said.This year, the NUNW plans to hold only two main rallies: in Windhoek and at Outjo.A delegation from the Cuban workers’ federation is expected to arrive here later this week to participate in the May Day commemoration.