Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources and Community Development held a public hearing with the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation regarding the devastating strike of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
The ministry, which was led by its acting Executive Director, Otniel Podewitz, informed the committee that all procedures leading up to the strike were followed by the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) as the recognised union. This, the ED said, included the setting up of striking rules after the warring parties failed to reach an agreement.
According to the ministry, a “no work, no pay” policy was agreed upon by the parties in accordance with the Labour Act. Podewitz, however, noted that there have been plans to amend the “no work, no pay” provision in the Labour Act as it has proven to be ineffective.
The ministry further stated that it played a mediation role until the matter was put to rest in May 2021. It also came to light that the dispute referred to the labour commissioner was a Dispute of Interest and not a Dispute of Right. The latter involves the declaring of a dispute as a result of infringement of rights while the former is a dispute for a salary and fringe benefits for which the complainants are not entitled to by law, making it difficult for the ministry to fully intervene.
Committee members noted that employees whose salaries were deducted as a result of the strike, were severely affected. Some of the affected employees have indicated that their salaries were deducted for more than six to seven months in breach of the striking rules. Podewitz noted that there are other issues concerning salaries and benefits currently registered with the labour commissioner concerning NBC employees.
NBC workers embarked on a nationwide legal strike, demanding 8% salary increment in 2021.
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