John Ekongo
22 July 2008
Windhoek — The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) has extended an olive branch to Lev Leviev Diamonds and Polishing Company (LLD Namibia) and wants to mend fences.
After weeks of a protracted dispute between the Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) and LLD, the federation has stepped into the fray and wants the parties to 'start afresh on the path to recovery', following a lengthy round-the-clock protest that led to the dismissal of close to 222 employees.
A new proposal entitled "NUNW proposal to address the current labour problem at LLD Namibia" was offered to LLD management last Wednesday, not from MUN but from the office of the secretary general of the umbrella body, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) Evilastus Kaaronda.
Kaaronda in his proposals to LLD asks for amnesty for fired workers and makes some commitments and undertakings by the union in order to break the impasse while raising concern to the LLD management about the issue of senior manager Mike Nesongano, salary reduction, overtime payment, appraisal and promotions, tariffs per carat and the strike and status of employees.
To correct the impasse, the NUNW requests the company to meet certain conditions. "Therefore, we put forward the proposal as a basis on which we can construct a mutually agreeable way out", reads part of the proposals.
The union calls this 'corrective action'. NUNW calls for an amnesty to be granted to all the workers in order to make a fresh start.
"We further submit that the employees not be subjected to any new contractual terms of employment as it is alleged to have happened to those that have gone back to work." The statement reads further: "It is our understanding that the amnesty mentioned herein must also mean that there will be no victimisation of any employees who participated in the strike action, most particularly the members of the branch executive committee."
On its part the union said it commits itself to training and educating its members on matters relating to company policy, recognition agreements, the Labour Act and all relevant instruments.
The union cites lack of communication and misunderstanding between the members and the company as a major contributing factor to the unrest.
"For the purpose of sustained industry harmony, we suggest further that both the union and management must embark on a regular process to evaluate whatever will be agreed upon on a quarterly basis so as to help restore confidence, mutual trust and respect among the employees and the management."
LLD managing director, Kombadayedu Kapwanga, said he is a "bit confused" by the fact that the proposal emanated from NUNW and not MUN.
"I am not sure whether they have the mandate to represent the workers and if so what happens now with the MUN," he queries.
Sources in the union circles stressed that the involvement of the NUNW in the LLD matter as opposed to MUN was necessitated by the manner in which MUN handled the LLD June 19 strike.
On June 19, workers of the diamond-polishing factory staged an industrial work stoppage, citing hordes of reasons as their motivation for the strike, which lasted for two weeks. This action resulted in most of the workers losing their jobs, after it was ascertained and verified that the office of the Labour Commissioner described the strike as illegal.
Kapwanga did, however, indicate that provided a workable solution was found, his company would not rule out the possibility of re-employing some of the fired workers.
"Yes, they are our employees. We still consider them as our people. We trained them and we are human beings after all."
Kapwanga said that LLD is yet to respond in writing to the union about the proposal, stressing that it will do so soon. Last week the LLD briefed President Hifikepunye Pohamba on the strike at State House.
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