Nafau declares ‘holy war’ against NovaNam

THE Luderitz branch of the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) has vowed to wage a ‘holy war’ against fishing company NovaNam over alleged unfair treament of workers.

In a media release issued on Monday, Nafau Regional Co-ordinator, Kleopas Nguena, claimed NovaNam denied the union its right to represent its workers even though the parties had signed a recognition agreement. He demanded the company change its mistreatment of workers. Accussing NovaNam’s labour consultant, Kuhrau Karl, of allegedly fueling existing poor relations between the union and the company, Nguena demanded that Karl’s contract with the company be terminated with immediate effect.’We demand NovaNam to cancel its contract with the labour consultant. We don’t want him in our meetings, we want to negotiate with the company management,’ Nguena said. Nguena said refusal by NovaNam management, on advice from the labour consultant, to allow the union to convene a meeting with workers at the company triggered the rift between the parties. The request for the meeting with workers was made on July 13, according to Nguena. Nguena did not rule out industrial action should the company fail to heed the union’s demand. Refusing to comment, labour consultant Kuhrau Karl hung up the phone when approached yesterday. Attempts to get comment from NovaNam’s Human Resource Manager, David Pokolo, also proved futile as he was locked in a lengthy meeting yesterday.