Workers’ issues hijacked: NSHR

THE National Society for Human Rights has described the past weekend’s congress of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) as a “theatre of bitter infighting for power” which failed to serve the purposes it was meant for.

“Instead, the Congress was theatre of bitter infighting for power, inspired by the power struggle within the ruling Swapo Party, to which the NUNW is affiliated. “Hence, it can be said that this is a second sustained blow for workers’ rights, for various obvious reasons,” said NSHR Executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh in a statement.He said the problems afflicting the working class in the country took a back seat while the present leadership ascended to power, not necessarily because of their credentials, but because of whose side they were on in the vicious power struggle within the ruling party – between the Sam Nujoma faction on the one side, and the Hidipo Hamutenya camp on the other.”Once again workers have been robbed of their right to take control of their organisations,” the statement said.Ya Nangoloh said they were gravely concerned that the bitter divisions within the Swapo-affiliated labour movement had the potential to lead to an even more lethal and unfortunate power struggle within the ruling party itself.”This has a further propensity to fuel political instability in the country.NSHR calls for the complete disaffiliation of NUNW from the ruling party and for total independence from any political parties,” Ya Nangoloh said.”Hence, it can be said that this is a second sustained blow for workers’ rights, for various obvious reasons,” said NSHR Executive Director Phil ya Nangoloh in a statement.He said the problems afflicting the working class in the country took a back seat while the present leadership ascended to power, not necessarily because of their credentials, but because of whose side they were on in the vicious power struggle within the ruling party – between the Sam Nujoma faction on the one side, and the Hidipo Hamutenya camp on the other.”Once again workers have been robbed of their right to take control of their organisations,” the statement said.Ya Nangoloh said they were gravely concerned that the bitter divisions within the Swapo-affiliated labour movement had the potential to lead to an even more lethal and unfortunate power struggle within the ruling party itself.”This has a further propensity to fuel political instability in the country.NSHR calls for the complete disaffiliation of NUNW from the ruling party and for total independence from any political parties,” Ya Nangoloh said.