Hangana Abalone and the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) have reached a wage agreement after two years of negotiations and an unresolved conflict.
The dispute, which arose from wage-related concerns, reached an impasse and was referred to the Office of the Labour Commissioner for intervention.
The signed agreement entails a 13% basic wage increase for the financial years 2023-2024, along with a one-time backpay of N$ 2765.00 per employee for the period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
“We are proud to have reached this agreement without external mediation, demonstrating our mutual dedication to finding a win-win solution. This experience serves as a lesson for us all, highlighting the importance of early and productive dialogue to prevent future disputes. Our collective success is intertwined, and we must uphold our responsibilities as employees while fostering the growth of the company,” said Jacob Penda, NAFAU Secretary-General.
Herman Theron, Managing Director of Hangana Abalone, said, “the conclusion of these wage negotiations is a testament to our commitment to our workforce. We recognize that our employees are the heart of our success, and without them, we would not be the high-quality Namibian product we aspire to be. This process has reinforced the significance of building trust-based relationships between the business and our valued employees.”
“We now shift our focus to building a stronger, more sustainable business. This agreement is a pivotal step in our journey to create a thriving future for both Hangana Abalone and our dedicated workforce.”
Hangana Abalone Farming is a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L).
