Ahead of a proposed industrial action by the country’s workers, the Namibian government said it has no obligation to pay them if they partake in a nationwide strike.
“We recognise that the employees in terms of the law have the right to strike, however, under those circumstances, the employer is under no obligation to remunerate any of the employees who take part in the industrial action,” minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation Utoni Nujoma said yesterday, while addressing the press.
Disputation over salary increments between government and its workers have reached a stalemate.
Public servants proposed a 9% increase on their basic salary and housing benefit, as well as a 10% rise in their transport welfare.
At a cost of N$334.9 million, the government offered increased benefits of 4.5% on housing, and 10% on transport, adding that it cannot meet these demands.
This offer was then revised to a 7% increase on the home owners scheme for staff members, an increase on the housing benefit for non-management workers to 14.5%, an increased housing benefit for management to 12%, and a transport benefit increase for non-managers to 14%.
