Workers at the Tsumeb Municipality are calling for urgent government intervention, citing allegations of mismanaged funds, unfair labour practices, and a salary structure they claim benefits only a few.
Supported by the Namibia Local Authorities Workers Union (NALAWU), the employees accused the council leadership of stalling wage negotiations, misusing public funds, and outsourcing critical human resource functions to expensive consultants. During the first round of negotiations, the council told the union it lacked the funds to increase salaries.
Fillemon Mvula, Chairperson of NALAWU's Branch Executive Committee, said the salary structure at the council is skewed.
"The managers of the council have a salary structure that only benefits a few. We are in the dark since even HR will never call a meeting to explain to employees what structure council is using, as positions are created overnight without the union’s consultation or involvement," Mvula said.
Workers also raised concerns over a N$6.4 million contract awarded to a South African company for asset auditing.
"Our question is, are we having no expertise in our country that can render those services? Are we really having to throw public resources out of our country just like that? Where is the line ministry in this regard? Did the minister give approval to this and how was this company chosen or contracted?" Mvula asked.
The workers have threatened to escalate the matter to the Labour Commissioner’s office if no action is taken within seven working days.
In response, Acting CEO of Tsumeb Municipality, Frans Enkali, urged employees to first understand the financial state of the municipality.
"The salary issue is an issue that we still need to negotiate and see if council can afford. We know the economic situation already in Tsumeb—we are hearing that the mine is going to retrench—and it just becomes economic reasons. The municipality has also got a very restricted or limited budget. The possibility of that we are still to see," said Enkali.
He added that the negotiation process has been deferred to a later date.