Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN) said the government must do away with ceremonial and non-essential positions such as that of the vice president and deputy ministers, while the salaries of top officials should be cut.
“They have been telling the working class to tighten their belts while their belts are loose,” said PSUN deputy secretary general Ujama Kaahangoro.
Kaahangoro was speaking yesterday at a media briefing on ongoing salary negotiations and the intended balloting of civil servants on whether workers under the banner of the PSUN should go on strike.
“The view and the framework of the government to say there is no money to increase the salaries of workers are unjustifiable, while money is spent on frivolous and wasteful expenditures,” he said.
Civil servants last received salary increments in 2017 and over recent years have been subjected to unparalleled increases in the cost of living, such as the prices of food, fuel and electricity.
Kaahangoro said the government is dismissive of salary increments for civil servants, and it does not cooperate in a manner that is meaningful and amicable for all parties.
“The president and minister, globe trot, claiming subsistence allowances in excess of millions, while the plight of the workers is ignored.
“This year, N$2,5 million was spent on a one-day event to celebrate independence, and taxpayer monies were channelled to upgrade the vice president’s farm,” he said. Kaahangoro said people are increasingly struggling to cope and survive under the prevailing economic challenges.
“The demand to increase salaries is not undue but is motivated by increasing inflation levels, the knock on effects of Covid-19 and the spiralling cost of living.
“Yet, the government keeps digging its heels in at the negotiation table, not exploring alternative avenues to solve the impasse,” he said.
Kaahangoro said the entire PSUN rejects the careless attitude taken by the government during wage talks and on the plight of the workers who have registered their unhappiness.
“Our working class people are suffering under the ever rising commodity prices, with no amicable solutions in sight. As PSUN, we stand behind them and encourage our workers to reject the government by a vote of no confidence,” he said.
Kaahangoro urged civil servants to vote in numbers and to strike a collective resolve on industrial action and balloting of civil servants, which may take place on 25 and 26 July.
“It’s time for our workers to unite. Let us meet the government at the pickets and demonstrate our unhappiness and grievances by downing tools until our demands are met,” he said.
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