Taxi strike suspended

WINDHOEKSELMA IKELA
The Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) suspended its taxi strike on Saturday.
NTTU embarked on the strike last week Tuesday when government failed to respond by July 20 to a set of documents previously submitted by the union.
The union handed in a petition last week to National Assembly secretary, Jakes Jacobs.
NTTU also gave a copy of the petition to a representative from the office of Nampol regional commander, Commissioner Festus Shilongo.
The petition raised several issues including high traffic fines, insufficient taxi ranks, the introduction of more municipal buses, conditions of employment and benefits for taxi drivers, as well as social security and pension, amongst others.
NTTU chief organiser, Joseph Kalimbo, told Namibian Sun yesterday that the union received a letter from parliament last week Friday stating that they should wait because it is in recess and will only resume on September 10. The union, however, gave parliament and the police until September 24 to respond to their grievances.
Kalimbo said the union is also drafting a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister. They will also continue building their relationship with a second union that came out in support of the strike, the Namibia Public Passenger Association (NPPTA).
NTTU will also be travelling to the North and Walvis Bay to hold meetings with their members. Kalimbo revealed that during the strike about 300 new members joined the union.