Unhappy Ramatex workers given unpaid leave

DISAFFECTED ethnic Chinese employees at the Ramatex Textile Factory have been told they can take unpaid leave until January 26.

The company’s decision comes in the wake of complaints that the workers did not have a chance to take leave last month. Many are said to want to return home for the start of the Chinese New Year on January 22.The disgruntled employees gathered outside management offices on Friday and again on Monday to demand their passports, which are held by the company, ostensibly for safe-keeping.”The Chinese workers are given 17 days non-paid leave for the celebration of Spring Festival or Chinese New Year.However those who wish to return to work during their non-paid leave can do so,” said senior manager Yee Siong- chua, who was speaking to The Namibian from Malaysia.The company employs about 800 ethnic Chinese at their Windhoek factories.Their optional leave period has been calculated from the day on which the affected employees first downed tools a week ago in protest against their conditions of employment.By the end of last week, Ramatex had agreed to reduce the disaffected workers’ employment contracts from three to two years and said all medical costs other than those related to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases would be shouldered by the company.But workers refused to return to work over the weekend saying they wanted time off to go on holiday.Yee told The Namibian that the factory’s production would not be affected by the workers taking leave over the next two weeks as existing staff would be able to meet demand.”As it is low season … orders are adequate for the local workers and Filipinos.Management can afford to allow [the] Chinese workers [to] go on leave,” Yee said.The Chinese calculate the beginning of a new year based on astronomical observations of the movements of the sun, moon and stars.According to this calendar, 2004 or the Year of the Monkey, will dawn on January 22.The celebration of Chinese New Year or Spring Festival lasts for several days after this date.Many are said to want to return home for the start of the Chinese New Year on January 22. The disgruntled employees gathered outside management offices on Friday and again on Monday to demand their passports, which are held by the company, ostensibly for safe-keeping. “The Chinese workers are given 17 days non-paid leave for the celebration of Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. However those who wish to return to work during their non-paid leave can do so,” said senior manager Yee Siong- chua, who was speaking to The Namibian from Malaysia. The company employs about 800 ethnic Chinese at their Windhoek factories. Their optional leave period has been calculated from the day on which the affected employees first downed tools a week ago in protest against their conditions of employment. By the end of last week, Ramatex had agreed to reduce the disaffected workers’ employment contracts from three to two years and said all medical costs other than those related to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases would be shouldered by the company. But workers refused to return to work over the weekend saying they wanted time off to go on holiday. Yee told The Namibian that the factory’s production would not be affected by the workers taking leave over the next two weeks as existing staff would be able to meet demand. “As it is low season … orders are adequate for the local workers and Filipinos. Management can afford to allow [the] Chinese workers [to] go on leave,” Yee said. The Chinese calculate the beginning of a new year based on astronomical observations of the movements of the sun, moon and stars. According to this calendar, 2004 or the Year of the Monkey, will dawn on January 22. The celebration of Chinese New Year or Spring Festival lasts for several days after this date.