Wage talks continue, no solution yet

THE Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) has still not shed any light on its negotiations with Government on the salary demands of lecturers at the country’s four teachers’ training colleges.

“The negotiations are still continuing and at the moment there is nothing for public consumption,” Nantu Secretary General Basilius Haingura told The Namibian yesterday. He said Nantu would first inform the lecturers before talking to the media.Last week, Nantu called on its members to postpone a planned strike while negotiations continued.So far, Nantu and officials from the Office of the Prime Minister have met twice – on Tuesday and Friday last week – in an effort to resolve the lecturers’ pay and grading dispute.Yesterday, Nantu’s Deputy Secretary General David Mulunga said negotiations would resume today.The lecturers have staged demonstrations since May, demanding that their salary grades be adjusted in line with those at the country’s other tertiary institutions.They have threatened to go on strike in the midst of examinations at the four colleges.The lecturers are demanding a salary increase backdated to November last year.They want a salary scale between N$160 302 and N$170 724 a year for entry-level lecturers with a three-year degree plus a teaching qualification and at least five years of experience.The current entry-level salary scale is between N$123 555 and N$141 150 a year.For lecturers with a master’s degree, they demand a salary scale between N$165 513 and N$181 809.Heads of department should earn between N$170 724 and N$181 809 a year, the lecturers say.He said Nantu would first inform the lecturers before talking to the media.Last week, Nantu called on its members to postpone a planned strike while negotiations continued.So far, Nantu and officials from the Office of the Prime Minister have met twice – on Tuesday and Friday last week – in an effort to resolve the lecturers’ pay and grading dispute.Yesterday, Nantu’s Deputy Secretary General David Mulunga said negotiations would resume today.The lecturers have staged demonstrations since May, demanding that their salary grades be adjusted in line with those at the country’s other tertiary institutions.They have threatened to go on strike in the midst of examinations at the four colleges.The lecturers are demanding a salary increase backdated to November last year.They want a salary scale between N$160 302 and N$170 724 a year for entry-level lecturers with a three-year degree plus a teaching qualification and at least five years of experience.The current entry-level salary scale is between N$123 555 and N$141 150 a year.For lecturers with a master’s degree, they demand a salary scale between N$165 513 and N$181 809.Heads of department should earn between N$170 724 and N$181 809 a year, the lecturers say.