Etale suspends APS employees - by Albertina Nakale
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WALVIS BAY - All African Personnel Services (APS) workers contracted at Etale Fishing Company were on Wednesday suspended with immediate effect.
The suspension follows a demonstration by APS workers at Etale premises.
The demonstration took place during lunchtime, after which Etale Managing Director, Sylvenus Kathindi, apparently informed the workers that APS workers' contracts had ended. The demonstration follows workers' (APS) grievances over their conditions of employment, including pay. They say they are not happy with the N$5.80 per hour that they get, adding that they have worked for three years without increment.
"For the past three years, we did not receive any increment. APS pays us N$5.80 per hour. We do not receive any benefits," said spokesperson, Felicidade Ndjolonimu.
"The N$5.80 per hour which we receive is very little compared to the employees at Etale although we are doing the same work. We mandated NASAWU to negotiate with the company to improve our conditions of employment," the workers said.
Workers are also not happy with Etale management for refusing to allow Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (NASAWU) officials to hold meetings at the company premises. They say the Namibian Labour Act gives trade unions the right to have meetings with workers at the workplace.
"We do not understand why NASAWU officials are not allowed to have meetings with the workers belonging to APS at Etale. Other unions are allowed to have meetings with the workers at Etale but not us who joined NASAWU, why?" they queried.
In addition, workers said they have the right to join any union of their choice.
"The Labour Act and the Namibian Constitution give us the right to join the union of our choice, the union which can represent us better," workers argued. They are requesting Etale and APS to allow the meetings.
Kathindi said, "We have a contract with APS. Whatever grievances they have must go to APS. We really don't have any comment, they must go to APS. They never had meetings here at Etale premises in the past, they are telling lies. If NASAWU has other issues, they must come out with their real agendas."
New Era is in possession of the suspension letter from APS management dated March 10. The letter was signed by APS Manager, Johan Van Vuuren, who also said the matter will be investigated and all workers will be advised accordingly.
There are more than 700 APS employees at Etale.
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The suspension follows a demonstration by APS workers at Etale premises.
The demonstration took place during lunchtime, after which Etale Managing Director, Sylvenus Kathindi, apparently informed the workers that APS workers' contracts had ended. The demonstration follows workers' (APS) grievances over their conditions of employment, including pay. They say they are not happy with the N$5.80 per hour that they get, adding that they have worked for three years without increment.
"For the past three years, we did not receive any increment. APS pays us N$5.80 per hour. We do not receive any benefits," said spokesperson, Felicidade Ndjolonimu.
"The N$5.80 per hour which we receive is very little compared to the employees at Etale although we are doing the same work. We mandated NASAWU to negotiate with the company to improve our conditions of employment," the workers said.
Workers are also not happy with Etale management for refusing to allow Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (NASAWU) officials to hold meetings at the company premises. They say the Namibian Labour Act gives trade unions the right to have meetings with workers at the workplace.
"We do not understand why NASAWU officials are not allowed to have meetings with the workers belonging to APS at Etale. Other unions are allowed to have meetings with the workers at Etale but not us who joined NASAWU, why?" they queried.
In addition, workers said they have the right to join any union of their choice.
"The Labour Act and the Namibian Constitution give us the right to join the union of our choice, the union which can represent us better," workers argued. They are requesting Etale and APS to allow the meetings.
Kathindi said, "We have a contract with APS. Whatever grievances they have must go to APS. We really don't have any comment, they must go to APS. They never had meetings here at Etale premises in the past, they are telling lies. If NASAWU has other issues, they must come out with their real agendas."
New Era is in possession of the suspension letter from APS management dated March 10. The letter was signed by APS Manager, Johan Van Vuuren, who also said the matter will be investigated and all workers will be advised accordingly.
There are more than 700 APS employees at Etale.
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