President Hage Geingob on Thursday commended the relationship between the Government and trade unions, saying they are revolutionary partners whose collaboration is always in the interest of nationhood.
Geingob said this relationship was proven earlier this year during the negotiations for salary increments for civil servants between the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU) and the government, during a challenging economic situation.
‘There was a lot at stake and the ramifications of a strike would have gone far beyond what many could have imagined. Fortunately sacrifices were made, not in the interest of individuals, but in the collective interest of our Namibian House,’ he stated.
He stressed that the consequences of a strike by public servants in the midst of tough economic conditions could have taken the country to the brink of economic disaster.
Geingob made the remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf at the opening of NAPWU’s 10th elective national congress in Swakopmund.
The event is taking place under the theme; ‘Workers Demand Job Security, Affordable Services and Promote Productivity in the Era of Covid-19 and Beyond,’ a theme Geingob described as ‘providing an opportunity to strategise on how we can work together to ensure Namibia’s economic revival and continued path towards prosperity.’
Outgoing NAPWU president Sarafina Kandere commended the Namibian Government for the conducive environment created by the previous presidents, which enables NAPWU to function as an exclusive bargaining agent recognised by the government.
‘As a result, there have been no instances of uncontrolled job losses in the public service through retrenchments or the advocated reduction of the size of the public service wage bill as has been called for by those who are insensitive to the increasing unemployment rate in Namibia,’ she said.
Kandere, who is NAPWU’s first female president, expressed contentment with how the union pays attention to issues of gender and equality and women’s emancipation, among others.
The congress ends Friday and will elect the new leadership of NAPWU in the positions of the president, deputy president and general secretary, as well as office bearers.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
