Swakop Uranium, MANWU cement agreement

Swakop Uranium and the Metal and Allied Workers Union of Namibia (MANWU) recently signed a substantive agreement covering contractors’ employees for the remainder of the Husab mine construction period.
Following the signing of the agreement between Swakop Uranium and the MANWU, members of the union working on the Husab project will receive a wage increase. The agreement was signed on 8 September and became effective as of 1 September 2014 to 31 December 2015.
Percy McCallum, Swakop Uranium Vice-President Human Resources and Business Support said, “Swakop Uranium strives to implement best practice standards in occupational health and safety, employment equity, conditions of employment, training and development and industrial relations. We want to attract and retain quality staff and to be seen as an employer of choice in Namibia. I would like to believe that this agreement is in line with our philosophy and vision.” Justina Jonas, Metal and Allied Workers Union of Namibia Secretary General said, “This is the first Project Labour Agreement (PLA) that allows Swakop Uranium to get involved in labour matters during construction phase. Many clients intend not to get involved in this relationship, Metal and Allied Workers Union of Namibia must commend Swakop Uranium for setting an example to others and we thank Swakop Uranium for this commitment. Being the first ever Special Wage Agreement signed between Metal and Allied Workers Union of Namibia, Swakop Uranium and [the] subcontractors, we would like to assure the stakeholder of our full commitment towards improving and building of sound labour relations in the project.”
The parties have agreed to investigate and propose an HIV/AIDS programme to Swakop Uranium and MANWU. This will be done in collaboration with Namibia Business Coalition on AIDS. The parties furthermore agreed to expand the current Safety Incentive Bonus Scheme in that a taxable monthly amount will be paid to all those employees within the Recognized Bargaining Unit, subject to employee’s monthly attendance rate and safety targets as determined by Swakop Uranium being met. Added McCallum, “Swakop Uranium strives to implement best practice standards in occupational health and safety, employment equity, conditions of employment, training and development and industrial relations. We want to attract and retain quality staff and to be seen as an employer of choice in Namibia. I would like to believe that this agreement is in line with our philosophy and vision.”