The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) says it has stepped in to halt the planned retrenchment of 533 employees at Kombat Mine by Trigon Metals, following reports that workers were coerced into signing termination letters in secrecy.
The retrenchments come as Kombat Mine suspended underground mining operations due to flooding caused by the failure of its main dewatering pumps.
MUN maintains that despite previous assurances from mine management that no layoffs were imminent, employees were discreetly pressured to sign termination agreements before union representatives could formally engage with the company.
MUN Regional Organiser for the Northern Region, Reginald Kock, disclosed that the union had arranged discussions with mine management, but access to the premises was denied.
“On paper, they told us that the retrenchments were due to mine flooding, and this was one of the issues we wanted to clarify. However, when we arrived, we were informed that we were not allowed on site,” Kock stated.
He further noted that MUN was excluded from severance negotiations, including relocation arrangements for employees from outside Kombat.
“This situation forced us to escalate the dispute to the office of the labour commissioner, requesting an urgent hearing. We have 533 members affected, many from different regions, and they cannot be left in limbo regarding their severance pay and payment timelines,” Kock emphasized.
Following the union’s intervention, Trigon Metals management has agreed to defer all retrenchment notices and engage in discussions with MUN regarding the fate of the affected workers. While this does not entirely reverse the retrenchment process, MUN remains hopeful that negotiations will secure fair compensation for employees.
The Canadian company recently announced plans to sell the Kombat Mine near Otavi to London-based Horizon Corporation.
