Roads Authority employees gets wage increment

The Board of Directors at the Roads Authority has approved an increment of 8% for basic salary, 5% for housing allowance and 7.2% for transport allowance as well as 5.6% for management after negotiations with the Namibia public Workers Union (NAPWA).
According to the Acting CEO of the Roads Authority, Conrad Lutombi, both parties acknowledge the current economic setting has been tense, however the parties were able to reach an amicable agreement.
“I wish to applaud the negotiation teams in coming up with an agreement beneficial to both parties. This in my view clearly demonstrates the good relations and common objectives between the Roads Authority and NAPWU in this labour and economic environment,” he said.
Adding that the negotiating parties acknowledged the fact that the Roads Authority is a non-profit making organisation henceforth its remuneration levels can only be equated to that and the parties also recognised the need to contain the labour costs to ensure long term employment sustainability.
“This is also with the realisation that more financial resources are needed to be channelled towards the construction of new roads as well as the upgrading of the existing road network,” he said.
He further said that the agreement has the characteristics of sustainability and shows maturity, trust and common vision between management and the Union.
Speaking on behalf of Peter Nevonga, general secretary of NAPWU, the deputy secretary general of NAPWU, Gabes Andumba said, although Roads Authority is a non-profit organisation to a certain extent, labour costs is part of the strategic plans overall financial commitment toward the management of the company.
“Therefore, it is imperative to address bread and butter issues through bettering the economic conditions of the employees who are responsible to carry out the Roads Authority mandate. We urge the Roads Authority Management to better the current working relations as supported by the Recognition Agreement,” he said.
This is the 6th negotiations between the two parties following the signing of the Recognition Agreement in August 2005.