Stefanus Nashama
Whale Rock Cement, also known by its trading name ‘Cheetah Cement,’ and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) have reached an agreement to increase salaries and benefits for employees during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Financial Years, aimed at fostering a harmonious relationship with the workforce.
According to Tabby Moyo, Whale Rock Cement’s Public Relations Officer, the agreement signed by the two parties this week encompasses a six percent inflationary salary increment across the board for all employees.
Moyo explained that the salary increment is intended to shield employees from national inflation, which has been hovering around six percent.
“The six percent increase will be retroactive to July 1, 2023, for the 2023/2024 Financial Year. For the 2024/2025 Financial Year, the implementation date of the increase will be May 1, 2024,” he clarified.
He also noted that the Recognition Agreement, which stipulates the implementation of salary increments on 1 May each year, was taken into account and both parties agreed on the implementation dates.
In addition to the salary increment, Moyo stated that Cheetah Cement and the labour union have concurred that all employees within the bargaining unit will receive an N$120 increase in their monthly housing allowance of N$1,000.
This adjustment raises the housing allowance to a total of N$1,120 per month for the 2024/25 Financial Year.
Furthermore, the two parties have agreed to raise the daily food allowance. This increase, effective from July 1, 2023, will see the daily food allowance go up from N$30 to N$50, but only for eligible Cheetah Cement employees.
“The food allowance will remain fixed until it is renegotiated,” Moyo clarified.
He emphasized that the Recognition and Procedural Agreement, which governs industrial relations between Whale Rock Cement and the MUN, mandates both parties to negotiate on basic wages, remuneration for each job grade in the bargaining unit, and any other work-related benefits that are agreed upon in writing.
“The procedural agreement also requires both parties to negotiate on any other issues or employment conditions that the union and the company agree are negotiable,” he added.
Moyo stressed that the wage and benefits increase covers 100 workers of Cheetah Cement within the bargaining unit, excluding workers outside of this agreement.
He further highlighted that the objective of the agreement is to maintain a positive relationship between the company and its employees, ensuring their contentment with wages and incentives.
“We do not want our workers to operate in stressful conditions. We want them to be happy. We acknowledge their contributions to the company,” Moyo stated.
