Rundu OK Foods suspends 109 workers after strike
The Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) has accused the management of OK Foods’ Rundu branch of breaching a settlement agreement by suspending 109 workers who were involved in a recent protest over low salaries.
The affected workers, led by NAFAU, expressed their dissatisfaction and demanded immediate action to resolve the issue at a press conference in Rundu yesterday.
The union’s secretary-general Jacob Penda said the workers’ suspension directly contradicts the terms of a settlement agreement signed by both parties on 23 May, following a strike that began on 13 May. The agreement included an N$390 salary increase for the workers.
In a letter seen by Namibian Sun, management informed the workers that they are suspended with full remuneration, pending an investigation and the finalisation of potential formal disciplinary action.
“The reason for the suspension is that we are investigating prima facie serious misconduct committed by yourself, being involved in an unprotected (illegal) strike action, intimidation of the employer and a breach of common law duty to act in good faith and in the business interests of the employer,” it read.
‘Unfounded allegations’
According to Penda, the strike rules, which were signed voluntarily, outlined the actions to be taken by both the workers and the employer during the strike. “These rules mandated that workers return to work within three working days after the strike's resolution, a condition met by the workers. While workers at the Nkurenkuru branch reported back last Friday, those at the Rundu branch returned on Saturday at 08:00. Upon their return, they were issued suspension letters,” he said.
“The suspension letters cited several alleged offences. NAFAU contends that these allegations are unfounded, given that the strike was legally protected. If the allegations were valid, the employer could have taken action during the strike or sought an interdict from the court, yet no such issues were raised until after the settlement agreement was signed,” he said.
NAFAU insisted that the OK Foods management’s actions are an attempt to intimidate the workers and discourage future legal strikes.
"We are law-abiding citizens, and all actions between employers and employees should be within statutory provisions. NAFAU communicated with management, urging them to withdraw the suspensions to maintain sound labour relations as per the settlement agreement and strike rules. However, the employer has refused and plans to proceed with disciplinary hearings against the striking workers, despite the strike rules clearly stating that workers participating in a legal strike should not face intimidation, victimisation or disciplinary action upon their return to work.”
‘Insult and test’
Penda added that OK Foods issued suspension letters and hired other employees to replace those on suspension. “This is an insult and a test of the union's capability and its members' resolve. We stand with the suspended workers. If management does not withdraw the suspension letters, this behaviour would suggest that the employer believes they can exploit workers in Rundu, which we will not allow.
"The employer must do the right thing and withdraw the suspensions immediately so that these workers can return to work without any consequences,” he said.
“As a union, we will follow all procedures and take further steps to ensure the employer understands and does the right thing.”
Boycott
Meanwhile, community activist Frans Moyo has described the situation as “very bad”.
“The owner of OK Foods is failing to respect the law. Imagine someone who signs a settlement agreement and yet stands to suspend 109 workers. As community activists and concerned residents, we are going to talk to our people to make sure that we boycott OK Foods. There is nothing friendly about this; the owner broke the law and breached a signed agreement. These workers are not happy, meaning that the community is also not happy,” Moyo said.
When contacted for comment, the management at OK Foods' Rundu branch said the owner is out of town and would only be able to respond upon his return.
[email protected]
The affected workers, led by NAFAU, expressed their dissatisfaction and demanded immediate action to resolve the issue at a press conference in Rundu yesterday.
The union’s secretary-general Jacob Penda said the workers’ suspension directly contradicts the terms of a settlement agreement signed by both parties on 23 May, following a strike that began on 13 May. The agreement included an N$390 salary increase for the workers.
In a letter seen by Namibian Sun, management informed the workers that they are suspended with full remuneration, pending an investigation and the finalisation of potential formal disciplinary action.
“The reason for the suspension is that we are investigating prima facie serious misconduct committed by yourself, being involved in an unprotected (illegal) strike action, intimidation of the employer and a breach of common law duty to act in good faith and in the business interests of the employer,” it read.
‘Unfounded allegations’
According to Penda, the strike rules, which were signed voluntarily, outlined the actions to be taken by both the workers and the employer during the strike. “These rules mandated that workers return to work within three working days after the strike's resolution, a condition met by the workers. While workers at the Nkurenkuru branch reported back last Friday, those at the Rundu branch returned on Saturday at 08:00. Upon their return, they were issued suspension letters,” he said.
“The suspension letters cited several alleged offences. NAFAU contends that these allegations are unfounded, given that the strike was legally protected. If the allegations were valid, the employer could have taken action during the strike or sought an interdict from the court, yet no such issues were raised until after the settlement agreement was signed,” he said.
NAFAU insisted that the OK Foods management’s actions are an attempt to intimidate the workers and discourage future legal strikes.
"We are law-abiding citizens, and all actions between employers and employees should be within statutory provisions. NAFAU communicated with management, urging them to withdraw the suspensions to maintain sound labour relations as per the settlement agreement and strike rules. However, the employer has refused and plans to proceed with disciplinary hearings against the striking workers, despite the strike rules clearly stating that workers participating in a legal strike should not face intimidation, victimisation or disciplinary action upon their return to work.”
‘Insult and test’
Penda added that OK Foods issued suspension letters and hired other employees to replace those on suspension. “This is an insult and a test of the union's capability and its members' resolve. We stand with the suspended workers. If management does not withdraw the suspension letters, this behaviour would suggest that the employer believes they can exploit workers in Rundu, which we will not allow.
"The employer must do the right thing and withdraw the suspensions immediately so that these workers can return to work without any consequences,” he said.
“As a union, we will follow all procedures and take further steps to ensure the employer understands and does the right thing.”
Boycott
Meanwhile, community activist Frans Moyo has described the situation as “very bad”.
“The owner of OK Foods is failing to respect the law. Imagine someone who signs a settlement agreement and yet stands to suspend 109 workers. As community activists and concerned residents, we are going to talk to our people to make sure that we boycott OK Foods. There is nothing friendly about this; the owner broke the law and breached a signed agreement. These workers are not happy, meaning that the community is also not happy,” Moyo said.
When contacted for comment, the management at OK Foods' Rundu branch said the owner is out of town and would only be able to respond upon his return.
[email protected]
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