Unions call for broader resource ownership

Labour unions say they have all the right in the world to pursue private business interests, and it will - in fact - strengthen their ability to represent workers and advocate for better working conditions. The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) affiliates - the Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (Nasawu), the Namibia Fishing Industry and Fisherman Workers Union (NFI & FWU), the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) and the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) - have in the past attempted to make inroads into the fishing industry by applying for fishing quotas. NUNW secretary-general Job Muniaro said while the union did not have fishing quotas, there is nothing stopping it from acquiring such in future. He was asked about the union’s stance on quota ownership. “Not yet, but in future, why not? It will strengthen our ability to do our work. We will not have financial obstacles, and it is to the advantage of Namibian workers,” Muniaro said. Unions and their members alike were not limited from operating businesses, he said. “There is nothing wrong with owning businesses. Business is for everyone who has a passion to do that and to create jobs, not for people who want to exploit the workers and benefit themselves."Better performanceAccording to Tucna president Mahongora Kavihuha, it is the union’s policy that it own a spoil of the country’s resources. “One thing you should know about Tucna: We want the resources to be owned by Namibians. We don’t want national resources in private hands; we want these fishing companies to be dismantled,” he said. Entities owned by unions also performed better, Kavihuha added. “Dividends go back to the workers. There are many companies owned by the workers, and you will see the performance of these companies,” he said. The ownership of companies by unions would also reduce occurrences of tax avoidance and evasion, he said. “We are encouraging the economy [being] owned by the workers; that is our principled decision. Workers should own fishing, mining and even this green hydrogen. If companies are owned by workers, even these issues of tax evasion will be minimised,” Kavihuha said. Almost impossibleLabour commentator Herbert Jauch said it would be almost impossible for unions to marry quota ownership and representing workers on labour matters. “It is an almost impossible task when unions own investment companies and have to represent the rights of workers. It is difficult to avoid conflict of interests,” he said. The added danger, Jauch pointed out, was that unions would no longer be reliant on their members for sustainability. “When a union gets a quota, how does it benefit its members? It’s very tricky. It is an advantage financially, but once unions are no longer dependent on workers, then the accountability and reliance on workers is reduced. All commercial deals are a threat to the unions and weakens unions,” Jauch said.

Unions call for broader resource ownership

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Unions call for broader resource ownership

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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