Task Force deployed at Lüderitz

MEMBERS of the Police Task Force have been deployed at Lüderitz to prevent striking Town Council workers from sabotaging the electricity and water networks at the town.

The workers downed tools a week ago after wage negotiations between the Namibia Public Workers’ Union (Napwu) and the municipality deadlocked.The workers are demanding a N$350 increase for everyone while the council has offered a four per cent increase. Napwu’s Southern Region Co-ordinator, Edwin Chaka, said Police Task Force officers met with the strikers yesterday, informing them of allegations that the water and power networks at the town had been sabotaged.According to Chaka, the allegations of vandalism stemmed from an incident where senior non-striking workers were locked in at a pump station where they were doing repairs.The Police later rescued those locked in, said Chaka. Chaka said the union yesterday consulted workers about the council’s new wage offer. According to him, the council is now prepared to offer increases between N$250 and N$280. The new offer excludes managers, he said. ‘They are also part of the recognition agreement, why are they excluded?’ he asked.By late yesterday afternoon, the workers were reluctant to accept the new offer, The Namibian was informed. Residents, fed up with rubbish accumulating in the streets and overflowing sewage drains, are apparently pushing the council to resolve the strike amicably.