LLD striking workers reject compromise deal

AROUND 78 striking Lev Leviev Diamond (LLD) employees, except two have rejected a management offer to return to work without facing disciplinary action.

The employees were advised to return to work on Monday. The company’s managing director, Kombadayedu Kapwanga, said that after consultations with the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (Mun), it was decided that the suspensions would be lifted, but the union appears not trust the company and instead wanted all problems at the factory resolved before the workers return.”We lifted the suspension and invited all employees back to work but despite all these efforts the employees remained on strike with only two out of the 80+ employees reporting for work,” said Kapwanga.He said as a result the company would follow through with disciplinary action.”The relevant employees will be issued with notices to appear before a disciplinary hearing committee, upon which if found guilty they may face severe penalties and possible dismissal,” Kapwanga threatened.The unions have demanded that the company responds to allegations against the General Manager Mike Nesongano.”We propose that before discussing the appraisals, promotions and basic salary issues, we urge the company to respond to all allegations levelled against Nesongano in his capacity as a general manager,” said Mun Secretary General Joseph Hengari.He said as long as there was no agreement between the two parties, Mun would challenge any move by the company to dismiss the striking employees.In the meantime employees are spending a second week camping outside the premises where they are calling for the resignation of Nesongano.The company’s managing director, Kombadayedu Kapwanga, said that after consultations with the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (Mun), it was decided that the suspensions would be lifted, but the union appears not trust the company and instead wanted all problems at the factory resolved before the workers return.”We lifted the suspension and invited all employees back to work but despite all these efforts the employees remained on strike with only two out of the 80+ employees reporting for work,” said Kapwanga.He said as a result the company would follow through with disciplinary action.”The relevant employees will be issued with notices to appear before a disciplinary hearing committee, upon which if found guilty they may face severe penalties and possible dismissal,” Kapwanga threatened.The unions have demanded that the company responds to allegations against the General Manager Mike Nesongano.”We propose that before discussing the appraisals, promotions and basic salary issues, we urge the company to respond to all allegations levelled against Nesongano in his capacity as a general manager,” said Mun Secretary General Joseph Hengari.He said as long as there was no agreement between the two parties, Mun would challenge any move by the company to dismiss the striking employees.In the meantime employees are spending a second week camping outside the premises where they are calling for the resignation of Nesongano.