Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) secretary-general, Mahongora Kavihuha said they expect teachers’ salaries to be increased next year, vowing that if that does not happen, they will negotiate with government from the streets.
Kavihuha made these remarks on Tuesday during a press conference at the union’s head office, while commemorating World Teachers’ Day under the theme ‘Teachers at the heart of education recovery’.
He said that teachers have been “starved” for the past seven years without a salary increment, while everything in life keeps increasing. He added that despite the lack of increased salaries, they are expected to give their best to educate the Namibian child, who will one day run the country’s economy.
“We know that government has a bargaining system with other unions and our message to them is very clear that we are not going to allow or agree on zero per cent increase as they have been doing for the past seven years. If need be, we can negotiate teachers’ salaries from the streets if they are not careful,” said Kavihuha.
He added that he had a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Ipumbu Shiimi, where he briefed him on the plight of teachers and to consider the salaries for teachers when he tables the national budget next year. Therefore, not even the coronavirus impact on the country’s economy will stop teachers from demanding better remuneration, because they have also been affected by the pandemic.
“We are hearing now that the fuel is going up. We are hearing that NamPower is increasing their tariffs and all those kinds of things. So, if the price of commodities are not held back by COVID-19, why should the salaries of teachers or workers be held back by COVID-19?”
When approached for comment, Chief Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Finance, Tonateni Shidhudhu said the minister does budget consultations with various stakeholders, including unions, but implementation of civil servants’ salaries requires the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to be involved.
OPM spokesperson, Saima Shaanika said government has always engaged recognised labour unions on the increment of employees’ salaries and teachers are part of that.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
