Ramatex accused of ‘stalling’

NEGOTIATIONS between Ramatex and the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) on workers’ redundancy packages are being held up by the company’s management, the union charged yesterday.

Speaking to the approximately 3 000 workers at the company’s Windhoek premises, Nafau General Secretary Kiros Sackarias claimed that Ramatex was simply trying to buy time in the hope of leaving Namibia without having to honour its promise of paying workers. Talks between the two parties started on Wednesday.Yesterday, a meeting that was scheduled to be held at 15h00 was cancelled, Sackarias told workers, because Ramatex’s labour consultant, Deon Gerber, had “more pressing matters” to attend to.”We’re here talking about the lives of 3 000 people, and the person they say is their man on the ground, says he’s busy,” Sackarias said.He claimed that, from what could be gathered from the meeting they had earlier this week, Ramatex did not appear genuine.”Ramatex is not telling us the truth.They are telling us that they have no money to pay you and that their Board of Directors are in Malaysia.How do I negotiate with someone who doesn’t have the proper mandate?” he said.He said that currently, every point the union discussed with General Manager Boon Keong Ong led to delays as Ong has to telephonically relate this information to his board, and get back to the union.He said that he hoped Government would do something to force Ramatex’s Executive Director Albert Lim to come to the country, or otherwise send someone with authority to handle the negotiations.”From our discussions, it’s clear that they want Government to buy their facilities and then pay you with that,” he said.He said Government should not even consider such a deal, as this would just be a continuation of Ramatex’s disrespectful attitude towards Namibia.The union also announced yesterday that it had decided to represent several Asian workers affected by the company’s closure last week.Most workers spoken to had heard about yesterday’s union briefing from their former colleagues, some of whom still go to work daily to hear about progress in the negotiations.Talks between the two parties started on Wednesday.Yesterday, a meeting that was scheduled to be held at 15h00 was cancelled, Sackarias told workers, because Ramatex’s labour consultant, Deon Gerber, had “more pressing matters” to attend to.”We’re here talking about the lives of 3 000 people, and the person they say is their man on the ground, says he’s busy,” Sackarias said.He claimed that, from what could be gathered from the meeting they had earlier this week, Ramatex did not appear genuine.”Ramatex is not telling us the truth.They are telling us that they have no money to pay you and that their Board of Directors are in Malaysia.How do I negotiate with someone who doesn’t have the proper mandate?” he said.He said that currently, every point the union discussed with General Manager Boon Keong Ong led to delays as Ong has to telephonically relate this information to his board, and get back to the union.He said that he hoped Government would do something to force Ramatex’s Executive Director Albert Lim to come to the country, or otherwise send someone with authority to handle the negotiations.”From our discussions, it’s clear that they want Government to buy their facilities and then pay you with that,” he said.He said Government should not even consider such a deal, as this would just be a continuation of Ramatex’s disrespectful attitude towards Namibia.The union also announced yesterday that it had decided to represent several Asian workers affected by the company’s closure last week.Most workers spoken to had heard about yesterday’s union briefing from their former colleagues, some of whom still go to work daily to hear about progress in the negotiations.