Ramatex management ignores visiting diplomat

THE Ramatex Textile Factory has snubbed requests by the Phillipines Embassy to visit the factory’s Windhoek operation and discuss the conditions of employment of its nationals.

Consul General Oscar Orcine left Namibia on Saturday saying he was disappointed that factory management had ignored his Embassy’s communication with them. “I really impressed upon them that I only wished to convey a message from my government.I don’t want to force myself into Ramatex.We were looking forward to a meeting with them,” Orcine told The Namibian shortly before returning to South Africa, where the Phillipines Embassy for southern Africa is based.Orcine requested a meeting with factory management last month immediately after receiving a petition signed by several hundred Filipinos employed at the Malaysian-run garment factory.The petition calls on their government to negotiate improved conditions of employment.”I requested the meeting … so we could thrash out the grievances and complaints related to their working conditions.Everybody can make allegations.We [the Embassy] won’t just accept them [accusations] because they come from Filipinos.Being unable to visit the factory makes my visit incomplete,” said Orcine.According to Orcine, his Embassy had made several further attempts over the past two weeks to schedule a visit.He said he even spoke to factory managers about making an appointment when he arrived in Namibia last week.But his requests were refused.”I don’t want to second-guess them [Ramatex].I will give them the benefit of the doubt.But I don’t know why it’s so difficult for them to allow me to see [the factory compound], to meet one of the senior managers who deals with the welfare of the Filipino workers,” said Orcine.The Embassy representative did however meet with some Filipino nationals working at the factory.Orcine said it appeared that improvements to their working conditions could be in the offing.Aggrieved Filipino workers told Orcine that the Ramatex management had promised that Filipino caterers would be hired to cook for them and that their medical problems would be seen to by a Filipino doctor.The Embassy representative described Filipino workers at Ramatex as very enthusiastic and supportive of the operation and said he did not want their concerns to jeopardise their employment.But he added that the operation’s lack of transparency on employee-related issues was disconcerting.”If you are not doing anything wrong, what’s there to hide? It’s standard business ethics to enter into dialogue.It would have been the prudent thing to do.I don’t want our people to lose their jobs,” said Orcine.During his visit to Namibia two weeks ago, Ramatex Executive Director Albert Lim told The Namibian that he was not opposed to a visit by an Embassy representative, but said the Embassy needed to specify more clearly what kind of tour was required.At the time Lim said he required the workers to provide him with details of their grievances.He claimed that he had only learned of their problems through the media.Enquiries by The Namibian last week on when the company had scheduled the Embassy visit went unanswered.Orcine visited Namibia in connection with the appointment of the new Philippine ambassador for southern Africa, and to discuss trade-related issues with Government.”I really impressed upon them that I only wished to convey a message from my government. I don’t want to force myself into Ramatex. We were looking forward to a meeting with them,” Orcine told The Namibian shortly before returning to South Africa, where the Phillipines Embassy for southern Africa is based. Orcine requested a meeting with factory management last month immediately after receiving a petition signed by several hundred Filipinos employed at the Malaysian-run garment factory. The petition calls on their government to negotiate improved conditions of employment. “I requested the meeting … so we could thrash out the grievances and complaints related to their working conditions. Everybody can make allegations. We [the Embassy] won’t just accept them [accusations] because they come from Filipinos. Being unable to visit the factory makes my visit incomplete,” said Orcine. According to Orcine, his Embassy had made several further attempts over the past two weeks to schedule a visit. He said he even spoke to factory managers about making an appointment when he arrived in Namibia last week. But his requests were refused. “I don’t want to second-guess them [Ramatex]. I will give them the benefit of the doubt. But I don’t know why it’s so difficult for them to allow me to see [the factory compound], to meet one of the senior managers who deals with the welfare of the Filipino workers,” said Orcine. The Embassy representative did however meet with some Filipino nationals working at the factory. Orcine said it appeared that improvements to their working conditions could be in the offing. Aggrieved Filipino workers told Orcine that the Ramatex management had promised that Filipino caterers would be hired to cook for them and that their medical problems would be seen to by a Filipino doctor. The Embassy representative described Filipino workers at Ramatex as very enthusiastic and supportive of the operation and said he did not want their concerns to jeopardise their employment. But he added that the operation’s lack of transparency on employee-related issues was disconcerting. “If you are not doing anything wrong, what’s there to hide? It’s standard business ethics to enter into dialogue. It would have been the prudent thing to do. I don’t want our people to lose their jobs,” said Orcine. During his visit to Namibia two weeks ago, Ramatex Executive Director Albert Lim told The Namibian that he was not opposed to a visit by an Embassy representative, but said the Embassy needed to specify more clearly what kind of tour was required. At the time Lim said he required the workers to provide him with details of their grievances. He claimed that he had only learned of their problems through the media. Enquiries by The Namibian last week on when the company had scheduled the Embassy visit went unanswered. Orcine visited Namibia in connection with the appointment of the new Philippine ambassador for southern Africa, and to discuss trade-related issues with Government.