Omuthiya: Employees at Furnmart's Omuthiya branch have joined a nationwide industrial action that has disrupted operations at the furniture retailer across Namibia, as workers demand improved salaries and better employment benefits. The strike follows a deadlock reached in negotiations between Furnmart management and the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU), which represents the affected employees.According to Namibia Press Agency, Omuthiya Furnmart sales advisor Shangelao Moses, who has been employed by the company for 14 years, said workers have been advocating for a salary increase, as well as the introduction of housing and transport allowances. She argued that the current remuneration package is no longer sufficient to cope with the rising cost of living.'We are demanding an eight per cent salary increase and additional benefits such as housing and transport allowances. We do not want a five per cent increase. Staff members do not receive adequate remuneration, and we are tired of purchasi ng necessities on credit due to insufficient income. I have been working for this company for all these years, and we have never received a salary increase,' she said.Moses further stated that workers deserve fair compensation for their efforts and their concerns should not be ignored. 'Workers cannot continue to be overlooked when their rights, concerns and working conditions are at stake. Our voices must not be silenced. We want fair wages, dignity and justice in the workplace,' she said.In a telephonic interview with Nampa, MANWU northern coordinator Naftal Nangolo said, 'We did not choose to go on strike lightly. We took this action because our concerns have not been adequately addressed despite previous efforts to resolve them through discussion. Key issues include fair compensation, working conditions, employee welfare and the need for management to engage meaningfully with our concerns. Our objective is to reach a fair solution that benefits both employees and the organisation,' he said.Nangolo a lso alleged that there is unequal pay for employees performing the same duties, with some members of management lacking the necessary skills, while company policies are not being followed consistently. Employees also do not receive adequate safety training, he said.