Govt should not undermine the right to strike KENYA KAMBOWEThe Economic and Social Justice Trust (ESJT) has joined those opposing government efforts to replace striking teachers with volunteers, saying that it would undermine the right to strike.
They argue that the crude labour exploitation and the repression of workers’ struggles during colonial rule provide the background and a reminder of the need to protect the right to strike.
ESJT chairperson Herbert Jauch said government’s latest effort to prevent the strike from happening is a good example of how an employer undermines the right to strike.
“Government has preached for years that it believes in social partnership and tripartite consultations. However, it now acts contrary to that commitment and instead of being an exemplary employer it attempts to undermine the right to strike,” Jauch said.
Jauch said the Labour Act clearly states that employers may not ask anybody to do the work of employees who are on a protected strike and it’s on this basis that that ESJT rejects the use of volunteer teachers during the planned strike.
“As a Trust advocating for social and economic justice, we therefore need to add our voice to those who reject efforts to bring in ‘volunteers’ and even teachers from elsewhere to undermine the strike,” Jauch added.
This follows reports that government had confirmed its intention to fly in a number of Nigerian teachers to replace Namibian teachers during the planned strike, which is likely to start next week.
Jauch said the government’s efforts to delay and argue over the strike rules, and approaching the Labour Court for an interdict, will not help find a solution, and the two parties should resume negotiations to find an amicable solution.
“We call on the Namibian government to return to the negotiation table in good faith and we appeal to both parties to show the leadership and maturity required to reach an agreement,” he said.