Katima Mulilo Furnmart workers reject 5% pay offer, demand 8% salary increase
Patience Makwele Furnmart workers in Katima Mulilo on Monday joined a nationwide strike after rejecting the company’s 5% salary increase offer, saying rising transport costs and food prices have made it increasingly difficult for employees to make ends meet. The workers who were represented by the Metal and Allied Workers Union of Namibia (MANWU), are […]
Patience Makwele
Furnmart workers in Katima Mulilo on Monday joined a nationwide strike after rejecting the company’s 5% salary increase offer, saying rising transport costs and food prices have made it increasingly difficult for employees to make ends meet.
The workers who were represented by the Metal and Allied Workers Union of Namibia (MANWU), are demanding an 8% salary increment, a monthly housing allowance of N$500, one day off every month and safety boots for drivers and general workers.
MANWU branch organiser Gift Machinga said negotiations with the furniture retailer started in August last year but eventually reached a deadlock, leaving workers with no option but to embark on industrial action.
“We started negotiating with the company last year in August, but we could not reach an agreement. The workers are looking at their conditions of service and the rising cost of living. Taxi fares have increased, food prices have gone up and many of them are staying very far from their workplace,” Machinga said.
According to him, the company agreed to provide one day off per month and safety boots for drivers and general workers but remained unwilling to meet workers’ demand for an 8% salary increase and a housing allowance.
