Police backup called in for NovaNam Lüderitz strike

POLICE reserves from Windhoek had to be called in to contain unruly strikers at the NovaNam fish-processing factory at Lüderitz.

The strikers were preventing non-striking workers from entering the factory in violation of a court order, The Namibian was reliably informed.
The strike at the factory started early December after the Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (Nasawu) and company management had failed to resolve a wage dispute.
Speaking from the southern harbour town, the acting regional Police commander, Chief Inspector Nicky Nampala, yesterday did not deny or confirm that Police reinforcements had been sent from Windhoek on Wednesday.
‘I am not at liberty to discuss Police operational matters in the media,’ Nampala said.
Nampala described the situation at the factory as calm.
‘Workers are just picketing some 50 metres from the factory’s premises without any violent behaviour,’ he said.
The Police on Wednesday swooped on Nasawu branch organiser Petrus Shiyandja for allegedly failing to comply with a court order issued by Judge Louis Muller last month.
The Police reported that Shiyandja had incited and encouraged striking workers to defy the court order.
Yesterday, Shiyandja made a brief appearance in the Lüderitz Magistrate’s Court on a charge of contempt of court.
He was denied bail and his case was postponed until February 2.
The court order barred the workers from coming within 400 metres of the factory and from interfering with or obstructing any of the non-striking employees.
Nasawu President Paulus Hango yesterday slammed Shiyandja’s arrest, vowing that workers would continue with the strike until their demands are met.
‘We’re not scared of any further arrest,’ Hango said.
The workers demand a 7,5 per cent wage increase while the company offers five per cent.
‘What is a five per cent hike in comparison to the 24 per cent hike for Cabinet ministers,’ Hango remarked.
Hango claimed that NovaNam receives special treatment compared to other fishing companies when it comes to strikes.
This, he claimed, is because many senior Government officials have stakes in Nova­Nam.
‘The court order to keep the workers 400 metres … from the factory premises is uncalled for and borders on a violation of the workers’ rights,’ he fumed.
Hango further maintained that the company did not even bother to consult with the union before it applied for a court order against the strikers.
Attempts to get comment from the company management proved futile yesterday.