Stefanus Nashama
The newly established Revolutionary Union (RU) claims business people and political elites give instructions to ‘captured unionists’ who sell out the workers for political positions in the corrupt party and its government.
The Union said this yesterday on Workers’ Day, indicating that sellouts and captured unionists are characterized by wage negotiations dictated at dinner tables where elites give instructions to captured unionists.
The ‘corrupt party and government’ referred to by the RU is the SWAPO Party and the Government.
The Union further said for the past 33 years, political freedom has been worse for the workers of Namibia.
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) founded RU in 2021. The union’s leader Maitjituavi Kavetu yesterday said in a statement, “We only had unions in form and not substance. This is the essence of the need for a revolutionary departure.”
“On this special day, the only thing to celebrate is the death and burial of the sellout unions that kept betraying Namibian workers since the attainment of ‘flag independence’,” said the Union.
The Union has since called for unity among workers, saying a hurt to one is harm to all.
“There is no ending of wage labour and exploitation of the workers without workers’ unity. Any form of disunity only advances the capitalist grip on people,” Kavetu stated.
He also said the Union commit itself towards consolidating the working class of Namibia, towards genuine economic empowerment, free of oppression and economic exploitation.
However, the Union said this should only be achieved under the leadership of a united radical working class.
A working-class radicalized in spirit and with revolutionary consciousness to shape the current status quo.
RU called for an end to labour brokers in Namibia, adding that workers should be directly employed.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Relations at the event of the commemoration of Workers Day, Hafeni Ndemula stated that for 33 years after Independence there still have been workers who are subjected to unfair labour practices by their employers.
“I know that you all agree with me that not all workers are enjoying good employment relations, health and safety at their workplaces, constructive social dialogue and the decent employment that they deserve,” Ndemula reiterated.
He stressed that it is regrettable to say that, despite Namibia’s sound labour laws, there are still employers who opt to operate without following the statutory labour standards.
“This remains a travesty that some employers do not pay their employees the minimum wages set for their respective sectors,” Ndemula said.
He pointed out that many workers are being paid low wages, wages that cannot provide for a decent standard of living.
The Deputy Minister urged that Unions must speak for and stand for their members.
He encouraged employers to review and improve the wages of their workers on an annual basis.
He also called upon all workers and employers to hold hands to better labour relations.
“It is only through respecting one another and upholding the labour laws to achieve harmonious labour relations in this country that we all aspire to have,” Ndemula urged.
The Workers’ Day was commemorated under the theme, “Workers United in ensuring productivity for National Economic Growth and Guarding against Unfair Labour Practices in the World of Work.”
