Just In: NHE strike heating up

Employees of the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) began protesting loudly in front of the state-owned company's doors this morning. The deputy secretary-general of the Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN), Ujama Kaahangoro, said the board has not communicated with the union for a long time, and no mandate has been given to the management to negotiate with workers. The strike, which began on Friday, follows negotiations for improved working conditions that have stalled. Workers are seeking a 7% adjustment but were also prepared to receive a once-off sum of N$10 000 each - a request that was rejected by the board. Employees say they are worried about the future of the company, which is threatened by mismanagement and corruption, according to the union's leader. In the meantime, the NHE inaugurated a new council on Friday, after Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni appointed Socrates Dias, Oshoveli Hiveluah, Erikson Mwanyekange, Adda Angula and Ritaa Khiba (deputy chairman). Toska Sem is the new chairman who takes over from Sam Shivute. Watch the clip here: https://q.my.na/5ONE