Strike averted at EBH 0 EBH Namibia management met with the workers’ committee and discussed issues that led to an unarranged work stoppage at the company on Friday morning.A member of the workers committee explained that the workers briefly stopped working to air grievances about a number of unresolved issues related to outstanding disciplinary cases, allegations of nepotism, unfair treatment and the abuse of company resources.
Some managers are apparently allowing newly appointed subcontractors to use company vehicles and equipment without permission.
The workers also allege that certain managers receive kickbacks for appointing selected subcontractors and they are unhappy that newly appointed subcontractors earn N$250 per hour while they started with a rate of N$35.
EBH issued a press release confirming that the workers engaged in an illegal work stoppage and indicated that the worker’s committee notified management of their desire to engage directly with Hannes Uys, the CEO of the company, on certain issues of concern in an email to him on 8 September.
They then proceeded with an illegal work stoppage on Friday morning. Management issued two notices calling on the workers to return to work and warning that they would not be paid.
It also requested that the workers’ committee engage in the appropriate forum later in the day with Uys in attendance.
Uys pointed out that since the workers embarked upon the work stoppage without following established channels as specified in a recognition agreement with the union, EBH could not engage with them.
The company concluded a stabilisation and retrenchment process at the end of July 2016, in order to ensure continued business sustainability in light of financial challenges brought along by continued low oil price.
OTIS FINCK