The Ramatex Reality

WHO can still remember the heady days that marked the arrival in Namibia of Malaysian-run textile factory Ramatex a few short years ago? Job creation and a boost for Namibia’s infant manufacturing sector were on the tips of many tongues.

Thousands flocked to the factory in search of work and a secure future. Hope lingered in the air.But Ramatex’s summer of love was remarkably short-lived.It was all too quickly followed by a winter of discontent.A quick glance at newspapers of the past few years shows similar headlines recurring year in and year out.Reporters have come and gone, but the headlines about Ramatex have, more or less, stayed the same: potential labour unrest related to working conditions; unhappiness with salaries; problems surrounding the employment of foreign workers; poor accommodation provided to foreign workers; pressing environmental concerns …Given Ramatex’s track record, we doubt that anyone would have greeted with anything other than scepticism a remark by Prime Minister Nahas Angula, following preliminary talks with Ramatex management last week, that all parties “were turning over a new leaf”.Ramatex’s management has repeatedly complained of bad press, but the factory’s management has created its own Ramatex reality.Newspapers are the messengers.It does not mean we are anti-Ramatex.Of course, we want investment.Of course, we want to grow our manufacturing sector.Of course, we want to create jobs.This is an imperative.But, at what cost? We want environmental safeguards.We want labour concerns to be addressed.We want investments to be ethical.We want accountability.And, we want the secrecy surrounding Ramatex-related issues to end.It is unacceptable for Government to exclude the unions from talks with Ramatex, as happened last week.It was these very same unions that Government turned to at the last minute when Ramatex indicated it was about to leave Namibia: Government apparently did not want to shoulder the blame alone for the potential job losses that loomed.We understand that Government cited “broader issues” being on the table as the reason for the unions’ exclusion.And the broader issues? They are said to have included the sensitive issue of environmental pollution.Why would the unions not be qualified to represent workers’ interests on such a crucial issue? Is there something to hide? Now that Ramatex appears to be dropping its threats to pack up and go, the unions are being excluded! The unions are not entirely without blame for what has developed into a tricky situation.They signed an agreement with Ramatex stopping workers from striking or demonstrating on the premises.Nonetheless, they need to be included.Ramatex alone cannot be allowed to dictate conditions.Ultimately, Namibia and Namibians have invested heavily in Ramatex.The Malaysians have received considerable backing, as well as a host of sweeteners, for their textile venture in Namibia.Government – as well as instances like the City of Windhoek – have bent over backwards to accommodate them.Taxpayers’ money has been used to bankroll the setting up of the factory.Still, Ramatex always appears to avoid being held accountable, whether it is on labour-related or environmental issues.Unfortunately, the Malaysians appear to have Government over a barrel, but it is a barrel of Government’s own making.They did not exert sufficient pressure on the environmental front; there is no agreement between Government and Ramatex other than a business plan.It is now time that we find a way off that barrel.Openness is needed.More attention needs to be paid to workplace and environmental concerns.If that happens, Ramatex might just find that workplace productivity, which they cite as one of their prime concerns, ratchets up.Accountability is needed on all sides and can only be in the interest of Ramatex itself, the workers, Government and ultimately the Namibian nation.Hope lingered in the air.But Ramatex’s summer of love was remarkably short-lived.It was all too quickly followed by a winter of discontent.A quick glance at newspapers of the past few years shows similar headlines recurring year in and year out.Reporters have come and gone, but the headlines about Ramatex have, more or less, stayed the same: potential labour unrest related to working conditions; unhappiness with salaries; problems surrounding the employment of foreign workers; poor accommodation provided to foreign workers; pressing environmental concerns …Given Ramatex’s track record, we doubt that anyone would have greeted with anything other than scepticism a remark by Prime Minister Nahas Angula, following preliminary talks with Ramatex management last week, that all parties “were turning over a new leaf”.Ramatex’s management has repeatedly complained of bad press, but the factory’s management has created its own Ramatex reality.Newspapers are the messengers.It does not mean we are anti-Ramatex.Of course, we want investment.Of course, we want to grow our manufacturing sector.Of course, we want to create jobs.This is an imperative.But, at what cost? We want environmental safeguards.We want labour concerns to be addressed.We want investments to be ethical.We want accountability.And, we want the secrecy surrounding Ramatex-related issues to end.It is unacceptable for Government to exclude the unions from talks with Ramatex, as happened last week.It was these very same unions that Government turned to at the last minute when Ramatex indicated it was about to leave Namibia: Government apparently did not want to shoulder the blame alone for the potential job losses that loomed.We understand that Government cited “broader issues” being on the table as the reason for the unions’ exclusion.And the broader issues? They are said to have included the sensitive issue of environmental pollution.Why would the unions not be qualified to represent workers’ interests on such a crucial issue? Is there something to hide? Now that Ramatex appears to be dropping its threats to pack up and go, the unions are being excluded! The unions are not entirely without blame for what has developed into a tricky situation.They signed an agreement with Ramatex stopping workers from striking or demonstrating on the premises.Nonetheless, they need to be included.Ramatex alone cannot be allowed to dictate conditions.Ultimately, Namibia and Namibians have invested heavily in Ramatex.The Malaysians have received considerable backing, as well as a host of sweeteners, for their textile venture in Namibia.Government – as well as instances like the City of Windhoek – have bent over backwards to accommodate them.Taxpayers’ money has been used to bankroll the setting up of the factory.Still, Ramatex always appears to avoid being held accountable, whether it is on labour-related or environmental issues.Unfortunately, the Malaysians appear to have Government over a barrel, but it is a barrel of Government’s own making.They did not exert sufficient pressure on the environmental front; there is no agreement between Government and Ramatex other than a business plan.It is now time that we find a way off that barrel.Openness is needed.More attention needs to be paid to workplace and environmental concerns.If that happens, Ramatex might just find that workplace productivity, which they cite as one of their prime concerns, ratchets up.Accountability is needed on all sides and can only be in the interest of Ramatex itself, the workers, Government and ultimately the Namibian nation.