Tucna and affiliates blast Nujoma for exclusion
Labour ministry executive director Bro-Matthew Shinguadja said the Labour Act makes provision for only one trade union representative and, therefore, the National Union of Namibian Workers was included.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Local workers and trade unions have condemned labour minister Utoni Nujoma’s appointment of a national minimum wage committee without involving them.
At a media briefing yesterday, Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) president Paulus Hango accused the ministry of operating behind closed doors as the unions only learnt of the appointment through the media.
“It is unfair and unacceptable for the federation to be excluded from this process. National minimum wage is an important issue that affects the lives of a lot of workers. This union is very active and strong in the private sector and also represents the informal sector. Tucna is a big federation and is very active when it comes to worker representation,” Hango said.
Labour ministry executive director Bro-Matthew Shinguadja yesterday said the Labour Act makes provision for only one trade union representative and, therefore, the National Union of Namibian Workers was included.
“The second reason is that some unions have been registered, but they are not living up to their obligations; for example submitting their annual returns. Tucna’s last annual return was submitted in 2010. But that is not the main reason,” he said.
He added that apart from the one trade union representative, two additional committee members were appointed.
“The chairperson is independent, the others are experts, one represents the interest of the trade union and the other member represents the interest of the employer,” he said.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Local workers and trade unions have condemned labour minister Utoni Nujoma’s appointment of a national minimum wage committee without involving them.
At a media briefing yesterday, Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) president Paulus Hango accused the ministry of operating behind closed doors as the unions only learnt of the appointment through the media.
“It is unfair and unacceptable for the federation to be excluded from this process. National minimum wage is an important issue that affects the lives of a lot of workers. This union is very active and strong in the private sector and also represents the informal sector. Tucna is a big federation and is very active when it comes to worker representation,” Hango said.
Labour ministry executive director Bro-Matthew Shinguadja yesterday said the Labour Act makes provision for only one trade union representative and, therefore, the National Union of Namibian Workers was included.
“The second reason is that some unions have been registered, but they are not living up to their obligations; for example submitting their annual returns. Tucna’s last annual return was submitted in 2010. But that is not the main reason,” he said.
He added that apart from the one trade union representative, two additional committee members were appointed.
“The chairperson is independent, the others are experts, one represents the interest of the trade union and the other member represents the interest of the employer,” he said.
[email protected]
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