7.5% pay hike for Namib Mills workers

Namib Mills signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Solidarity Union yesterday at its headquarters in Windhoek.According to the company&#039;s commercial manager, Pieter van Niekerk, discussions around the conditions of work for Namib Mills employees and wage increases had been ongoing for the last ten months."Negotiating has been happening for about ten months now, so it is no surprise. We have been trying to get to a solution and equally tried to avoid any crisis."He further said that alternative outcomes, such as strikes would have had a great impact not only on the company but on the employees and the nation at large."The food security would also be gravely affected," he continued.7.5% increaseContained in the MOU, the employees demanded an increase of 7.5% on their basic wage for the period of 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2023.The MOU further states that employees want full back pay, inclusive of any overtime worked.Van Niekerk said that signing this MOU showed that all stakeholders have the ability to sort through issues in an organised manner."Business has continued as normal and I am not aware of any strike that took place. We have been continuing with business operations as usual.“This is a proper process that shows how we as an organised unit can work together to take us forward." he said.The MOU also states that a 7.5% increase in the salaries of employees who have retired must be paid by the company.These increases are payable on the 25th of this month.Satisfactory outcomesThe Namib Mills employees were approached with an updated mandate from the company by the Solidarity Union and they agreed with the terms.According to union secretary-general, John Paporo, the lengthy negotiations came to a halt on Tuesday, after the matter was taken to the labour commission."The company came with a revised mandate and that is what we shared with our members. Everyone was happy and that is why we were able to sign this MOU," he said.Paporo added that it was a win-win outcome and that a strike should always be the last resort."If both parties are happy with the decision taken, then that&#039;s the most desired result for us."

7.5% pay hike for Namib Mills workers

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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7.5% pay hike for Namib Mills workers

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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