Namibia Diries workers on strike

Production at the Namibia Diaries production plant at Avis on the outskirts of Windhoek came to a standstill this week Wednesday as day-shift workers refused to enter their respective work divisions. “We are humans, we cannot work from 06:00 to 18:00. Our contracts stipulates that we work normal working hours,” said one of the frustrated employees who works in the processing plant.
The workers said that such practices and the unfair dismissal of fellow colleagues such as Shop Steward, Silas Alfeus, are a sign of unfair treatment and management not having their interest at heart. “We work very long shifts, but the management themselves work only 08:00 to 17:00. We are also just humans,” said another disgruntled worker.
The new shifts which consist of working hours from 08:00 to 18:00 and from 18:00 to 04:00 were introduced on Monday this week. Employees said that they will not go back to work until the matter has been resolved.
According to one of the employees who chose to remain anonymous for fear of dismissal, they are constantly under threat from management and have been issued with suspension letters which they refused to sign.
The workers who are represented by the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union said they will continue with the strike and are still waiting for the Union to take full action on the matter as they [union management] are at their congress meeting in Eenhana.