The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU) has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to intervene in the ongoing strike at Namib Mills, warning that the labour dispute could escalate into a national food crisis.

Nearly 1 000 employees across various Namib Mills branches are participating in the strike, including facilities in Windhoek and other towns.

President of NARETU, Petersen Kambinda, says the union has held four meetings with the Ministry of Labour in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but negotiations with the company have not yet produced a final agreement.

"We have attempted at all levels between ourselves and Namib Mills and also with the minister, but we could not crack an agreement."

Updating the media, he says the employees on strike have not received salaries for two months due to their industrial action.

Kambinda accused the company of being arrogant during negotiations and said that workers will not return to work until their demands are addressed.

He also warned that the ongoing strike could affect the availability of food products produced by Namib Mills if production disruptions continue.

"The longer the people are standing here outside, you will find yourself that there will not be macaroni in the shop, there won't be Top Score in the shop, there won't be instant porridge, and there will also not even be bread in our households. It is going to become a national crisis."

He further raised concerns about what the union describes as a threatening internal memo indicating that striking workers could face disciplinary action if they return to work.

"These employees are on a legal strike. How do you want it now that we have signed an agreement? We reached an agreement with you, but when we have to go inside there, you are threatening us that you are going to take us to a disciplinary hearing."

The strike at Namib Mills began on 12 January this year, following a wage dispute between the company and NARETU.