Windhoek: The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu)'s commander-in-chief, Petersen Kambinda, has called for President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's urgent intervention in the Namib Mills strike matter. Kambinda made the call during a media briefing on Friday in Windhoek regarding the ongoing strike by Namib Mills employees, who are demanding improved wages and better treatment from their employers.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the strike, which began on January 12, has been ongoing for more than 50 days. Kambinda emphasized the need for presidential intervention, stating, "At this point we are calling upon Her Excellency, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, for her to be able to intervene, to be able to call us, ourselves and Namib Mills for us to be able to come to the table to resolve this situation."

He also noted that despite the involvement of the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Fillemon Wise Immanuel, reaching an agreement between the parties has been unsuccessful. Kambinda explained, "At this point we have made progress. With the assistance of the minister, we have made progress but the minister, as he has rightfully stated in Parliament, cannot tell the company what to give, and he cannot also tell us what to accept. But where we are now is that we have attempted at all levels between ourselves and Namib Mills, between ourselves, Namib Mills and the minister, but we could not be able to crack the agreement."

On the sidelines, Nampa spoke to long-serving Namib Mills employee Erickson Nghitomoka, who expressed difficulties in providing for his family as he and other employees are currently not receiving salaries due to the strike. Another employee, Moses Karambo, described unfair practices such as unjust warnings and expressed support for the president's involvement. "Yes, yes, yes. That was even a very beautiful idea to call our respectful president of this country to intervene," Karambo said.