Africa-Press – Namibia. TRADE union representation for workers is crucial to ensure that their grievances are addressed. However, according to the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, the majority of workers in the mining sector lack union representation.
Nujoma was speaking during the 12th national congress for MUN, which is underway at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.
Nujoma said the overall trade union membership is reported at 20.6%, while the trade union membership in mining and quarrying is reported at 45.1%, with only 4.1% in electricity and related industries.
“This means that the majority of workers in your sector lack union representation,” he said.
The only trade unions that can effectively represent the interests of their members in relation to their employers are those that have dedicated officials and officials who possess integrity, do not view their positions as opportunities for self-enrichment or a stepping stone into politics, and instead understand that they are leading a never-ending struggle of workers for decent lives for themselves and their families.
Thus, Nujoma said that each representative needs to ask themselves whether enough attention has been paid to internal unity in MUN.
He stressed that while the members have the democratic right to elect their leaders, they must refrain from power struggles that weaken the effectiveness of the Union.
Nujoma indicated that the building blocks of unity are adherence to the constitution, transparency, and open communication with the members in the operation of the trade union structures at all levels, regular financial reporting to the members, avoidance of factions, and pursuing a policy of inclusivity.
Thus, Nujoma said that the delegation to the congress will not only chart a future course for their trade union, in the interest of MUN’s members and the mines and energy sector but also contribute to the revitalisation of the trade union movement and the direction of socio-economic development in Namibia.
President of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia, Allen Kalumbu, told the gathering that MUN has undergone a huge transformation since the 90s.
Kalumbu indicated that as a union, they are getting better every time before he welcomed everyone to the national congress.
The congress has attracted delegations from as far as Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, where they will have discussions to address issues related to the benefit of the workers.
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