Justicia Shipena
The City of Windhoek (CoW) has confirmed it will not hire replacement workers to perform the duties of striking solid waste management employees. The fixed-term workers are set to begin a protected strike today.
City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya stated that the municipality respects the workers’ constitutional right to strike, but it will not deploy substitutes unless work is necessary to prevent danger to life, health, or personal safety.
The strike follows a dispute over pay and benefits. The employees involved handle litter picking, street sweeping, and general cleaning in residential and business areas across Windhoek.
“The City shall not hire replacement workers to perform the duties of striking employees, except where work is required to prevent danger to life, health, or personal safety,” Amutenya said.
Amutenya said both the municipality and employee representatives have agreed on rules to ensure the strike proceeds lawfully and peacefully, in line with the Labour Act and the Code of Good Practice on Industrial Action and Picketing.
She said striking workers will gather at the open space between Dortmund and New Castle Streets near China Town, which has been designated as the official assembly point.
The Namibian Police and city security officers will be present to maintain safety and order.
“The City remains committed to maintaining essential services during the strike, and contingency measures have been put in place to minimise disruptions to litter picking and general cleanliness,” Amutenya said.
She urged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and avoid illegal dumping.
“The City continues to engage with the concerned employees and relevant labour representatives in good faith to reach an amicable resolution,” she added.
City of Windhoek litter pickers and solid waste workers have previously staged strikes, including in February 2023 and July 2024, demanding permanent employment, better pay, benefits, and improved working conditions.
During the 2023 strike, contract workers dumped refuse on city streets in protest against management’s refusal to negotiate.
Last year, workers demonstrated at the urban and rural ministry, calling for permanent contracts.
The strike comes amid criticism from urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa who last week called Windhoek “the dirtiest city in Africa”.
