By Sostenus Wilherm
The trade union movement in Namibia has lost the “vivacity and vigour” that it had before independence, especially around the organisation of May Day commemorations, a founding trade unionist and former Robben Island prisoner Ben Ulenga has said.
He made these remarks during a podcast interview with Vicki Enstein Ya Toivo, widow of former Robben Island prisoner Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.
In the interview, Ulenga reflects on the rise of trade unionism in Namibia, starting with the formation Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) which is the first Namibian trade union, Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU), Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU), the Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN), Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU) and Namibian Public Workers Union (NAPWU).
These unions eventually gave birth to the establishment of Namibia’s largest workers federation, the Namibia National Workers Union (NUNW).
“It is important that unity and strong activism is stressed. It is important that the workers are organised, united and active. It seems like trade unions have lost that vigor,” Ulenga said.
The first May Workers Day was started in 1986 after the former Robben Island prisoner helped to mobilise the workers into
organised labour unions.
The former trade unionist who started his underground trade unionism on Robben Island, with other prisoners such as Ya Toivo, Peter Ilonga, John Pandeni and John Otto Nankudhu while still in prison, also shared his experiences about the solidarity that existed between Namibian trade unions and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
He further recalls how COSATU helped Namibian trade unions with N$5,000 in 1985, to help with organizational logistics during the formative years of local labour movements.
He said COSATU, which was then led by current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, even volunteered transportation from South Africa to help Namibian voters reach voting booths during Namibia’s first post-apartheid elections in 1989.
“The South African Transport Workers Unions and the Taxi Unions drove in huge convoys from South Africa into Namibia to transport Namibians to the voting stations through the leadership of COSATU,” he added.
Underlining the lessons to be learned from the experiences of pre-independent labour movement in Namibia, Ulenga stressed the need for “organised labour, politically, socially, strong mobilisation and have a common purpose.”
Meanwhile, earlier this year, trade unionists across the country have come out harsh-tongued at what they call a continued battle against low wages, job insecurity and minimal benefits by Namibia workers 36 years after the apartheid regime fell.
The workers’ representatives bluntly indicated that without concrete action, the promise of independence remains hollow for the backbone of the nation and further advised that benefits from the fresh oil and gas discoveries should slip into the hands of the many Namibians who keep on bleeding.
Secretary general of the NUNW Job Muniaro said the reality for many workers remains bleak and difficult.
“The independence of our country and the situation of workers in general do not speak to each other. The violation of workers’ rights is still there, the disrespect of workers is still there and the suffering of workers is still there,” Muniaro said at the time.
According to him, while Namibia has progressive labour laws, enforcement remains weak and inconsistent. He pointed to the minimum wage as one example where implementation has fallen short.
“The labour laws and all the laws that must protect the workers are there, but the implementation of those laws is a little bit very slow and the minimum wage is not fully respected and not fully implemented,” he added.
He further stated that some workers are still employed without formal contracts, exposing them to exploitation and unfair dismissal.
“You find people in companies still working but they do not even have an employment contract. When they are fired and you ask for a contract, they say they do not have one. We still have a long way to go.”
He raised concern over limited consultation between the government, employers and trade unions on key labour and economic issues, warning that this often leads to unrest.
“They do not consult the leadership of trade unions and this is why you find there are strikes always.”
Link to the podcast interview:
https://youtu.be/zSKufClGXPk
