Residents of Otjiwarongo on Thursday called on the Namibian Government to restore order at the Cheetah Cement factory amidst employees of the company striking due to alleged unfair labour practices.

The residents joined employees of Cheetah Cement, who are also demanding salary increases and the introduction of pension and medical aid, in a street march Thursday afternoon.

The nearly 200 employees started camping at the factory’s gate Thursday morning and marched through Dr Hage Geingob Avenue to the Orwetoveni residential area, where the residents joined them.

Some displayed posters alleging unfair labour practices and demanding to be paid market-related salaries.

Residents who spoke to Nampa at the Etambi informal area, where the march ended, said it is high time that Namibians revolt against what they termed exploitation of their resources by Chinese investors.

The 35-year-old Ruben Kamuhanga said Namibian lawmakers should be ashamed because they betray their own people by allegedly allowing foreign investors to do as they please.

“We all know they are here for our resources. It is even better to close down that factory than to see our brothers and sisters suffer like this,” he said.

Another concerned resident, 20-year-old Lukas Unias, said Namibia “seems to be heading in the wrong direction.”

“I am also afraid for my future in this country as a young person. There will be no Namibian who will operate a business in China and become arrogant like these Chinese here,” he said.

On Thursday, Mineworkers Union of Namibia organiser for the northern regions, Brian Tjihero, in an interview told Nampa the strike will continue indefinitely until their demands are met.

He said Cheetah Cement has failed to negotiate in good faith, adding that workers just want a reasonable salary increase and the introduction of housing, medical aid and pension benefits.

“For now workers here earn about N.dollars 3 600 with no medical aid, no pension and no salary increase for about four years,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cheetah Cement General Manager, Kevin Lee in a media statement said there is a deadlock between the management and workers, noting that the company has done everything in its power to conclude the protracted wage negotiations but to no avail, since the employees “have unrealistic demands.”

Source: The Namibian Press Agency