NamPost employees demonstrate against unfair labour practices
WINDHOEK – NamPost employees, through the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU), on Tuesday demonstrated against unfair labour practices, ranging from the recruitment of unqualified managers, discrimination and the company's refusal to increase their salaries.
The employees handed over a petition to the company's board chairperson Simeon Amunkete during the demonstration in Windhoek, containing various demands that they want dealt with within seven working days.
NAPWU representative Lesley Mosegedi, who spoke on behalf of the employees, said the company has failed to address employees' issues which have been raised over the past few years, such as employees being recruited on a contract basis for a long period of time without benefits, and employees acting in certain positions for too long without acting allowances whilst others are receiving an acting allowance.
“NamPost is wasting money on consultancy while we have capable managers, and is outsourcing some services that can be carried out by the employees, especially at courier services”, stressed Mosegedi.
Employees, he added, are demanding the removal of the company's chief executive officer Festus Hangula with immediate effect, while the company should also consider increasing the workers' salaries by 5.1%, and not the 1.5% the company is offering.
“NamPost should consult workers and their labour union before implementing policies, and should address the abnormalities in salary scales. We demand a total review of the performance management system, and an alignment to core functions and job descriptions of employees”, added Mosegedi.
Should NamPost fail to address the workers' grievances within seven working days, they will have no other option but to seek an audience with the line ministry, or refer the matter to the labour court, he warned.
Amunkete said while receiving the petition that he would share the employees' grievances with his fellow board members and the company's management for discussion.
He encouraged employees not to lose hope because the company is still negotiating with NAPWU regarding salary increments.