The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) and the Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN) have agreed to end the strike that began in February due to stalled negotiations for better working conditions.
According to Rule 2.23 of the Strike Rules, employees will return to work on 11 April 2023.
As part of the settlement agreement, the parties agreed to a one-time payment of N$5,000 to the employees, payable within two days of signing the settlement agreement.
However, before considering the workers’ demand for a 7% salary raise, NHE and PSUN agreed to address the various problems the company is experiencing through their strategic plan and other initiatives.
“Additionally, to commit themselves to the deliverables of the company to achieve those deliverables such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Integrated Strategic Business Plan, Financial Audits (2017,2018 and 2019) and the reduction of arrears which exercise if successfully achieved, will enable the company to consider the Union salary demands for FY 2022/23,” the agreement states.
The agreement was signed by NHE’s Chief Executive Officer Gisbertus Mukulu and PSUN’s Secretary General Matheus Haakuria.
NHE had previously instituted a No Work-No Pay rule and the CEO announced that the principle would be implemented, with deductions proportioned over a period of eight months, starting with the payroll of March 2023.
“The parties agreed to have the outstanding recognition and procedural agreement signed off on or before 30 April 2023, which will regulate collective bargaining process between the parties on matters of mutual interest,” he said.
In terms of the reintegration of striking employees, NHE noted that the management would work with the shop steward to ensure a smooth reintegration of striking employees into the operations.
“There shall be no retaliation, discrimination, or disciplinary action by the employer against any employee who participated in the Industrial action,” said Haakuria.
On the backlog of work it is resolved that upon return to work, the employees are expected to continue with all the work irrespective of when the work came about including that which was laid idle pending the outcome of the negotiations of the strike.
“The parties take cognisance of the fact that a heavy workload arose as a result of the strike. To diminish this workload, the backlog work needs to be attended to which may necessitate overtime. Such overtime, to be agreed between the parties should be treated in pursuance of this agreement to eradicate the pendant workload,” the agreement reads.
Furthermore, NHE agreed to waive the requirements relating to the payment of advances of the 13th cheque and allow employees to apply and access bonus advances in special circumstances in accordance with qualifying criteria.
