Meatco clashes over drought-induced mass slaughtering

WINDHOEK ELVIS MURARANGANDA Government's advice that farmers should sell their livestock, instead of losing them to drought, has seen a massive influx of animals being presented to Meatco for slaughtering. It has also led to Meatco employees refusing to work extra long hours to deal with increase in slaughtering activities at the meat processing company - unless outstanding wage negotiations are concluded. Namibian Sun understands Meatco workers are already working overtime to deal with the increased slaughtering, but the company has requested that they work even longer hours. According to employee, who preferred anonymity, the basis of the wage negotiations is Meatco slaughters enough to stock at their abattoirs during peak season, resulting in the company closing its doors for three months. He said the company closes from August to November each year. During this period permanent employees get paid half their monthly salaries, while contract workers do not receive any remuneration. This has led to contract workers demanding that they also get paid half their monthly wages, in order to be able to survive and provide for their families. How do they expect us to survive with no pay for three months? How do we pay our rent and buy food? It is not fair on us, said the contract employee. According to the employee they would have been better off during the three-month lay-off if Meatco gave them free meat or some other incentives. They only give us a small bag of bones at the end of the year, but we are not dogs. There is no meat on those bones and it is only given once. Collectively, all employees are further requesting an increment in their remuneration, but Meatco's management has allegedly refusing to give in to the demands. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has now intervened, in an effort to mediate between management and the workers. Deputy Minister of that Ministry Alpheus Muheua confirmed the unfolding events at Meatco to Namibian Sun last week. We could not reach an agreement, so the matter has been referred to the Labour Commissioner. He will have more details on the progress soon, said Muheua. Last year Meatco employees handed over a petition to management in which they claimed unfair labour practices were taking place at the company. Meatco spokesperson Ebben Kalondo did not respond to questions sent to her last week, despite promising to do so. When contacted yesterday she asked this reporter to call her back after 30 minutes. However, he cellphone then went unanswered. Also, the company's Chief Executive Officer Advocate Vekuii Rukoro was also not available for comment.