Pick n Pay Namibia, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L) and the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) have signed a one-year substantive wage agreement, taking effect on 1 July 2022.
The agreement saw the bargaining unit employees of Pick n Pay Namibia which currently has 21 retail stores across Namibia and employees over 1700 employees of which more than 74% are within the bargaining unit, receiving a 6.5% increase on their basic salary and transport allowance in line with the NABTA rates.
“The past two years have not been easy with lockdowns hampering our ability to trade as normal. However, because we are part of a breakthrough organisation, we managed to restructure, ensuring that our employees retained their livelihoods.We are both dependent on our customers and our employees. Without either, we cannot achieve our Vision 2025 of not just being sustainable, but a profitable business that benefits all. I want to commend every employee for their hard work and dedication towards achieving this. We can only do this together,” Pick n Pay Namibia Managing Director Graeme Mouton said.
NAFAU Deputy General Secretary Willem Absalom said, ““Considering that there are those who are currently unemployed, we should be grateful. Considering that there are those who has not received increases to the tune of 6.5%, we should be grateful. And we as NAFAU are grateful for companies such as O&L and Pick n Pay Namibia who recognises their workforce and wants the best for each person.”
This comes as another O&L unit, Hangana Seafood and the Namibia Fishing Industry (NFI) and Fisherman Workers Union (FWU) signed a one year substantive agreement, which saw 1514 bargaining unit employees receive a 6.5% increase on their basic salary, effective 1 July 2022.
“The business recognizes that Namibians have not been safeguarded from the global economic pressures arising from increased inflation and the cost of living as a consequence of the war in Eastern Europe that is impeding our recovery post Covid. This is in line with our Group Purpose of “Creating a Future, Enhancing Life” as we as Hangana Seafood are committed to contribute towards the bettering of the livelihoods of our employees and their families. Our employees are integral in achieving success, not only as a business, but also as a contributor to the overall success of the industry and the sustainability of our country,” Hangana Seafood Managing Director, Francois Olivier said.
President of the NFI & FWU, Daniel Imbili said “there is no hidden agenda whatsoever in what NFI and Hangana have achieved here. I want to send a strong and encouraging word to our Minister of Fisheries that there are those who want to contribute, build a nation and wish to eliminate the unemployment of our Namibian nation and for them (the Ministry) to look after those who are serious in this regard. To the entire workforce of Namibia, do not to be misled by those that come with hidden agendas, but stare reality in the eye to build this beautiful country of ours and not destroy it. We, the people, want the resources of this country that were given by God to be shared equally. However, we need support, commitment, and cooperation to work as a team. We need to become the number 1 country that understands the employer and employee relationship so that our economy can recover after the pandemic and that should something similar happen again, that we will be ready to face it.”
