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Basil Read workers call off wildcat industrial action

HUNDREDS of Basil Read Mining Namibia workers at Skorpion Zinc at Rosh Pinah who have gone on a wildcat industrial action over alleged discriminatory employment benefits about two weeks ago, are back at work.

The workers went on the illegal industrial action over alleged salary inequalities based on colour and race.

They had also accused the company of “using overtime to inflate the salaries of some employees,” while claiming that only employees working at the mine’s plant receive housing and remote areas’ allowance benefits.

According to the workers, foreigners are also employed as surveyors and finance managers at the expense of qualified Namibians.

They further claimed that the company was giving white workers “discriminatory preferential treatment” by letting them live in houses, while black workers have to take up residence in a camp.

The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN)’s southern regional chairperson Shavuka Mbidhi yesterday confirmed the workers had called off the illegal industrial action, saying mining operations had resumed at the Skorpion Zinc mine on Tuesday.

“We told them (workers) it was dangerous to be on an illegal strike, and convinced them to return to work while we are sorting out their grievances,” he stated.

“As a union, we do not condone illegal industrial actions,” he added, and implored workers not to indulge in illegal industrial action because it might be detrimental.

The unionist said it was agreed that workers had to first appear before a disciplinary hearing for having embarked on illegal industrial action before being allowed into the mine to resume their duties.

He called on the company to be lenient towards workers who face punishment over the illegal industrial action.

Mbidhi expressed concern over the workers’ future at the company as it has recently place job advertisements in what appears to be moves aimed at replacing those who had gone on the illegal industrial action.

Oranjemund constituency councillor Lazarus Nangolo, who was privy to the talks seeking an end to the wildcat strike, said his involvement was to ensure that workers return to work, and that operations resume at the mine.

The politician said there is a need to review labour laws relating to sub-contracting companies’ salaries, noting alleged inequalities in salaries had led to the workers’ illegal strike action.

Vedanta Zinc International, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said operations at the mine are materially affected by the continued strike action by employees of its mining business partner Basil Read Mining Namibia.

It said the strike which began on 22 February involves approximately 400 workers in drilling and blasting, loading and hauling operations.

“It is with great concern that VZI notes that to date, no settlement agreement has been signed between MUN and Basil Read Mining Namibia,” reads the statement issued by VZI’s Skorpion Zinc Mine spokesperson, Norah Ndopu.

She called upon the two parties to urgently resolve the matter, and to pursue all available options to get Skorpion back to work.

“The company has noted its extreme disappointment that both Basil Read and MUN are placing the future of Skorpion and the livelihoods of thousands of people who rely on it in jeopardy,” Ndopu stated.

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