By Staff Reporter
Windhoek, December 13 — Speaking at the rebranding ceremony of the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU) in Windhoek, General Secretary Petersen Kambinda shed light on the persistent issue of unfair dismissals in the workplace. The rebranding event, held at the Union’s headquarters, marked a significant transformation as the organization expanded its mandate from the transport sector to include the manufacturing sector.
Announcing the name change from the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU), Kambinda stated that the rebranding reflects the Union’s commitment to addressing the interconnected challenges faced by workers in the transport and manufacturing industries. “This rebranding signifies a historic milestone in our journey. It’s not just a change of name—it’s a change of scope and strategy, ensuring that no worker is left without representation,” Kambinda said.
Amid this celebration, Kambinda addressed one of the pressing issues affecting workers: unfair dismissals. Over the past seven months, NARETU has referred over 30 labor disputes to the Labour Commissioner, with unfair dismissal cases dominating the list. The Union has successfully secured settlements and arbitration rulings amounting to N$500,000 for affected workers.
“Unfair dismissals remain one of the most significant challenges we face. Many employers fail to adhere to the principles of procedural and substantive fairness as outlined in the Labour Act,” Kambinda emphasized. He expressed concern about delays at the Labour Commissioner’s office, where some cases now take up to three years to resolve due to overly technical legal interventions by employers’ legal representatives.
As part of the Union’s rebranding, Kambinda highlighted efforts to educate workers and employers on labor relations, ensuring better understanding and adherence to fair workplace practices. He called for systemic improvements to resolve disputes efficiently and foster harmonious labor relations.
The rebranding also saw the Union extend its representation to diverse industries within the manufacturing sector, including food and beverage production, automotive equipment manufacturing, and renewable energy systems. Kambinda described the move as a strategic step toward bridging gaps in representation and addressing the overlapping challenges faced by transport and manufacturing workers.
NARETU remains steadfast in its mission to champion workers’ rights, with a renewed focus on empowering shop stewards through training and advocating for systemic improvements in labor relations. “Today, we reaffirm our commitment to our members and pledge to continue fighting for their rights,” Kambinda concluded, calling on workers and employers to join forces in building a future of fairness and progress. – Namibia Daily News
