Africa-Press – Namibia. The president of the South West Africa National Union (Swanu) Evilastus Kaaronda says the labour practices in the army, police force and correctional services are still not democratised and therefore tyrannical.
Kaaronda, in an interview with New Era during the commemoration of International Workers’ Day said the labour law allows all workers to join or form an association of their choice but this is not the case with soldiers, police and correctional services personnel.
He said the workers in these forces don’t have an opportunity to sit down with their employers and discuss their salaries or bettering employment conditions.
“This is not fair and it is high time those in charge know that trade unions are not all about striking,” said the lawmaker who was a leader of workers’ unions.
The parliamentarian finds it strange that nurses and doctors who are dealing with human life are allowed to go on strike.
“Where do you strike the balance here? The labour law must apply equally to all workers,” he said.
Kaaronda added that the fishermen are still subjected to harsh working conditions similar to those experienced before 2018 when the ILO Convention 188 was ratified.
“Those who died during the strike and as a result of it remain uncompensated especially for the long hours of overtime worked. More than five of these employees live with disabilities as a direct result of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions,” said the lawmaker.
He added that the workplace abuse and workers’ rights violations by employers are poorly investigated as the number of labour inspectors is just too insignificant to make any meaningful impact.
“As it is, we are not sure if government employees will receive any pay increments this financial year,” he said.
The Swanu leader also said the Bank of Namibia and its inexplicable fixation with inflation targeting continues to add to the high unemployment rate in the country.
“Workers are still beaten and are physically assaulted by their employers for demanding their pay,” he said.
The former unionist further called on the workers in the country and globally to observe this international day of workers and remember that through the blood and tears of those before them.
“The workers today enjoy shortened working days, legislated labour rights, and attendant conditions of work. These are hard-won pains and must eternally be jealously guarded,” the parliamentarian said.
He said the strength of workers is always in their collective power to unite and act in unison.
“Our solidarity goes out to the many workers who still to this day, work in slave like conditions and bondage. We are also in solidarity with the rest of the workers across the globe who have become refugees in and outside their own countries,” said Kaaronda.
“The Palestinian workers require international support and solidarity, and so do the workers in Ukraine. An injury to one is an injury to all, and the presence of injustice anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere,” he said.
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