Clemencia Jacobs
13 November 2009
Windhoek — The Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) has become the sole bargaining agent between the City of Windhoek and its employees.
In terms of the agreement which came into effect on Monday, the union will represent employees who are not appointed in terms of the Windhoek Municipal Police Services Regulations. These employees include staff members of the City Police and Emergency Management Department.
"In most cases you find the union and employers at loggerheads, unable to resolve their differences amicably, which would lead to labour confrontations and unnecessary industrial action, because they have failed to formalise and regulate their relationship in a form of a Recognition Agreement, or failed to honour the provisions of the Agreement between them," said Petrus Nevonga, general secretary of NAPWU.
Nevonga further said, both parties should adhere to the agreement to avoid "unnecessary labour conflicts."
"Most of the employees in the country are victimised when it comes to promotions in employment. The effects of such practices are low moral and frustration, which would not be in the interest of both employees and the employer. On the employees side I would like to urge you to honour your conditions of employment and avoid the use of alcohol while on duty as well as absenteeism without permission from your employer/supervisor," he said.
Both NAPWU and the Local Authority Union of Namibia (LAUN) were recognised unions within the municipality before NAPWU was selected to represent the workers.
The City recognised NAPWU as the exclusive bargaining agent in terms of the new Labour Act in April already.
According to Elaine Trepper, chairperson of the municipality's management committee, the agreement is not a substitute for the labour law.
"...While we have signed this agreement with NAPWU, council will still consult with all unions especially on matters not falling within the bargaining unit. As partners, it is important that we always balance the interest of our employees and members of the unions with the wider needs of the community we serve. I wish therefore to call on all our employees to continue and improve the level of productivity and thus improve service delivery to our residents," Trepper said.
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