‘Ramatex packing up’

THE National Union of Namibian Workers says the Ramatex textile factory in Windhoek has moved its industrial machinery back to Asia in preparation for its exit from Namibia.

NUNW Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda told the media last week that the Malaysian investors had done next to nothing to transfer skills to Namibians in case they pack up and go back. He said the NUNW’s Central Executive Committee was concerned that there were no monitoring systems in place to check on the promises made by Ramatex.”The CEC calls on the Government to take serious measures aimed at doing a thorough skills transfer audit since Ramatex’s inception to date,” he said.The union executive called on the Namibia Food and Allied Workers’ Union to steer the campaign and requested Government to carry out the audit.The NUNW claims Government is treating Ramatex with “kid gloves”, thus encouraging the Malaysian investors to be hostile towards Namibian workers.Last year Ramatex informed Government in that it was no longer interested in carrying on business in Namibia.However, the company changed its decision after several meetings with the Government.Kaaronda said NUNW was still convinced that there was nothing indicating that Ramatex had changed its mind about closing shop and going home.The NUNW Central Executive Committee said earlier they were concerned that there was no agreement between the Government and Ramatex except a business plan.They want an agreement to reduce the commitment of the Government and force Ramatex to spell out its future plans.They also want Government to look for potential buyers in case Ramatex sticks to its threats to close shop.Ramatex claims that local workers’ productivity is not up to scratch and bad publicity over working conditions in the Namibian factory is costing the multi-billion-dollar company millions.He said the NUNW’s Central Executive Committee was concerned that there were no monitoring systems in place to check on the promises made by Ramatex.”The CEC calls on the Government to take serious measures aimed at doing a thorough skills transfer audit since Ramatex’s inception to date,” he said.The union executive called on the Namibia Food and Allied Workers’ Union to steer the campaign and requested Government to carry out the audit.The NUNW claims Government is treating Ramatex with “kid gloves”, thus encouraging the Malaysian investors to be hostile towards Namibian workers.Last year Ramatex informed Government in that it was no longer interested in carrying on business in Namibia.However, the company changed its decision after several meetings with the Government.Kaaronda said NUNW was still convinced that there was nothing indicating that Ramatex had changed its mind about closing shop and going home.The NUNW Central Executive Committee said earlier they were concerned that there was no agreement between the Government and Ramatex except a business plan.They want an agreement to reduce the commitment of the Government and force Ramatex to spell out its future plans.They also want Government to look for potential buyers in case Ramatex sticks to its threats to close shop.Ramatex claims that local workers’ productivity is not up to scratch and bad publicity over working conditions in the Namibian factory is costing the multi-billion-dollar company millions.