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Govt will embarrass country - ManwuImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. The Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (Manwu) says the government’s insistence on going against the law and replacing striking teachers has the potential to embarrass the country.
The strike is expected to start on 13 October.
Manwu president Angula Angula yesterday expressed concern that the government was contemplating breaking the law instead of leading by example.
The Labour Act states that an employer may not hire any individual to perform the tasks of a striking or locked-out employee.
Despite that, the government started seeking volunteers to replace striking teachers shortly after the strike rules were announced early last week.
“We have no idea how our government understands this section, but it is important that our government must not create precedence for employers in this country not to comply with the same section.
“Using volunteers to do the work of striking workers must be avoided because this may lead to labour unrest in the entire country,” he said.
Manwu urged the parties involved in the salary dispute to resolve their differences in the interest of the learners, their parents, teachers, the government and the public.
“It is a shame that that some of us so-called trade unionists are becoming mere opportunists and are siding with the employers on the issue of using volunteers to replace striking workers. As trade unions we must safeguard the Labour Act and our government must be told to respect the Labour Act,” said Angula.
About 95% of teachers in the public service voted to strike, while fewer than 5% voted against strike action.
Of the 20 473 votes cast, 19 473 were in favour of a strike, with just under 1 000 voting against the strike. There were 42 spoiled ballots.
The looming strike will halt learning at state schools and the government has warned teachers that the ‘no work, no pay’ policy would apply if they stay away from work.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Clik here to view.
Govt will embarrass country - ManwuImage may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
The Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (Manwu) says the government’s insistence on going against the law and replacing striking teachers has the potential to embarrass the country. The strike is expected to start on 13 October.
Manwu president Angula Angula yesterday expressed concern that the government was contemplating breaking the law instead of leading by example.
The Labour Act states that an employer may not hire any individual to perform the tasks of a striking or locked-out employee.
Despite that, the government started seeking volunteers to replace striking teachers shortly after the strike rules were announced early last week.
“We have no idea how our government understands this section, but it is important that our government must not create precedence for employers in this country not to comply with the same section.
“Using volunteers to do the work of striking workers must be avoided because this may lead to labour unrest in the entire country,” he said.
Manwu urged the parties involved in the salary dispute to resolve their differences in the interest of the learners, their parents, teachers, the government and the public.
“It is a shame that that some of us so-called trade unionists are becoming mere opportunists and are siding with the employers on the issue of using volunteers to replace striking workers. As trade unions we must safeguard the Labour Act and our government must be told to respect the Labour Act,” said Angula.
About 95% of teachers in the public service voted to strike, while fewer than 5% voted against strike action.
Of the 20 473 votes cast, 19 473 were in favour of a strike, with just under 1 000 voting against the strike. There were 42 spoiled ballots.
The looming strike will halt learning at state schools and the government has warned teachers that the ‘no work, no pay’ policy would apply if they stay away from work.
JEMIMA BEUKES
