Mineworkers union demands Namdeb recognise elected chairperson
Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) members at Namdeb staged a demonstration to demand the company recognize their newly elected branch chairperson, Laina Festus. The union argues that the company's refusal to recognize her is unjustified and violates their procedural agreements.
Why it matters
Labor disputes in the mining sector can have significant impacts on industrial relations and operational stability in the region.
Namdeb branch members of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) staged a demonstration on Thursday, demanding that the company recognise their newly elected branch chairperson, Laina Festus.
The union handed Namdeb chief executive Riaan Burger a petition calling for Festus to be recognised after she secured 510 votes in the branch elections held from 18 to 31 August.
Reading the petition on behalf of the group, MUN Namdeb branch secretary for information Nestor Shimuteikeni argues that the company has not challenged the election itself but continues to refuse to recognise Festus, who was subsequently elected to lead the branch.
“Namdeb’s withdrawal of Festus’s recognition as a part-time shop steward cannot automatically disqualify her from serving as branch chairperson, as the two positions are separately regulated under the recognition and procedural agreement,” he says.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in