…Immanuel set to meet Namib Mills and union today
Renthia Kaimbi
The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) has called on the government to urgently intervene in a labour dispute at Namib Mills.
Naretu has formally asked the minister of justice and labour relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, to mediate the dispute between the union and the company.
The appeal follows a strike by Namib Mill workers, which began earlier this month.
In a letter dated 29 January and addressed to Immanuel, Naretu general secretary Petersen Kambinda said wage negotiations had broken down, resulting in a full strike and a lockout.
He stated that they had exhausted all internal dispute resolution processes under the Labour Act without success.
“Despite exhausting internal engagement mechanisms and following due processes as prescribed by the Labour Act, the matter has escalated into a strike and subsequent lockout, with no meaningful progress toward resolution,” the letter states.
Naretu warned that the dispute has moved beyond a normal labour disagreement and has become a matter of national concern.
The union said Namib Mills is a key producer of staple foods and that the ongoing industrial action is already affecting product availability and prices.
“This dispute has now extended beyond a conventional employer-employee disagreement. Namib Mills is a strategic producer of staple food products, and the continuation of this industrial action has a direct and adverse impact on food supply, pricing, and the livelihoods of a broad section of the Namibian population. In this regard, the dispute has assumed a clear dimension of public and national interest,” the letter reads.
Kambinda said the livelihoods of many Namibians are now at risk and that the matter should be treated as one of public interest.
“The union remains committed to lawful, peaceful, and constructive collective bargaining,” he wrote, but said tensions are too high for the parties to resolve the dispute on their own.
Naretu has asked Immanuel to use his office to facilitate mediation or conciliation.
The union said ministerial intervention is needed to restore dialogue, ease tensions, and guide talks toward a fair settlement that also considers national economic stability.
It added that it is ready to participate in any process led by the minister.
When contacted by the Windhoek Observer, Immanuel confirmed receipt of the letter and said he is scheduled to meet the parties today for a social dialogue.
The dispute stems from wage talks that have been ongoing since July last year.
After the strike vote, Namib Mills issued a statement confirming a temporary lockout of bargaining unit employees represented by Naretu. The lockout took effect at the same time the strike began.
Namib Mills has defended the lockout, saying it was necessary due to what it describes as unreasonable union demands and breaches of strike conduct rules.
Following the lockout, hundreds of workers protested, demanding better wages, housing allowances and bonuses.
Naretu’s demands include equitable pay, citing salary differences for the same roles, and worker representation in pension fund governance.
