Teachers' union slammed for 'malicious' strike threats 0 The country’s youngest employers’ organisation has added its voice to the debate on whether teachers should be allowed to strike for higher pay.Namibia National Employers’ Organisation (NaNEO) secretary-general Emmanuel Hangulah said union leaders urging teachers to strike during examinations are “malicious”.
“Nantu (Namibia National Teachers Union) is being irrational in that they have instigated professional teachers on their (Nantu’s) failing teachers all along, hence making up with an uncalled-for strike, unaware of the possible consequences they might befall, for example no work, no pay [sic],” Hangulah said.
Acknowledging teachers’ constitutional right to strike, he said this right must be exercised responsibly – which was not the case now, given the exams and the government’s explanation of the country’s precarious financial position.
“Trade unions, much as they have the right to exist, should have the broader interests of their members at heart, rather than being naïve to reality,” Hangulah said.
“The state president has on numerous occasions during engagement with the unions, as at Workers’ Day and State House courtesy calls, called on unions to engage employers with proposals like shareholding in companies, but these have not yielded fruit because there are no strategic plans within unions, where they could meet government in deliberating on tangible socio-economic, or socio-political aspects affecting their members and their well-being.”
The organisation said it stood behind the government’s intended 5% salary increase for teachers, rejecting the union’s call for 8%.
“Dr Hage Geingob in his recent remarks was very vivid in saying everyone would have liked more money, if resources permit. Unfortunately, such cannot be due to various reasons tabled, and such reasons cited are not flaws but real, and their effects can be felt across all corners of the country,” the NaNEO leader said.
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