Obrein Simasiku
TransNamib is developing cold feet ahead of the looming strike set to begin on Monday across nine centres of the state rail and road transport entity. The strike is led by the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau). TransNamib is pleading with the union to avert the strike, saying it will just result in more repercussions on the financially embattled organisation.
The strike is related to a protracted wage dispute as well as TransNamib’s adopted strategy to lay-off employees through a voluntary retrenchment, dating back to 2020.
“The management has also opened the books to the Union to view the seriousness of the situation, but unfortunately the union has still chosen this route. The management of TransNamib continues to invite NATAU for meaningful dialogue to discuss a way forward that will not have such a detrimental effect on the entity of their proposed action,” said TransNamib’s communications manager, Abigail Raubenheimer, when confirming the envisaged strike.
“The management of TransNamib has engaged the union since last year regarding the critical financial position of TransNamib. We have had long and protracted discussions about the fact that TransNamib simply cannot afford salary increments at the moment. These discussions have taken place between the Union and the Management of TransNamib as well as with the Labour Commissioner as the conciliatory party,” she added.
Yesterday, NATAU through its National Coordinator, Helvi Hamukoshi, informed TransNamib, that as of Monday their members will commence with an extensive exercise of national industrial action.
Raubenheimer could however not tell how much this will cost TransNamib, “we will be only able to know as of Monday when we assess the situation on the ground.”
