New NUNW president breathes fire over foreign exploiters

Newly elected National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) president Ismael Kasuto says the government must deal with foreigners who exploit workers and the country’s national resources while adding no value to Namibia’s economy. He also called for labour legislation to be strengthened. “Access to basic services such as electricity, water and sanitation should be made affordable for the people and gender-based violence must be tackled. Employers should treat workers humanely and engage them as partners. They must address health and safety issues, improve remuneration packages, conditions of employment and ensure value-addition,” he said. Kasuto was speaking at a Workers’ Day event in Walvis Bay. He called for exploitive attitudes to be addressed and listed the health and safety of workers in the mining, construction and agricultural sectors as a great concern. He requested government to look properly after the workforce by developing adequate legislation to protect workers. “Domestic workers, cleaners, construction workers, petrol attendants and security guards are some of those exploited by foreign and local companies and who earn very low wages. Health and safety has generally improved, but more needs to be done to maintain safety standards, while issues related to land and housing access need to be addressed with urgency,” said Kasuto, who was elected at NUNW’s national congress in Swakopmund last week. He listed mismanagement and the continuous bailing out of parastatals, the exploitation of construction workers by Chinese companies, land reform, Tender Board management and its composition, as well as crime and corruption and sustainable economic development as pertinent issues faced by workers. WALVIS BAY OTIS FINCK: