The Namibia Local Authority Workers Union (NALAWU)  has demanded a 3% salary increase for Mariental municipal workers during a lunch-hour protest march. 

The union's Branch Executive Committee Chairperson, Linus Sinvula, accused the municipality management of failing to implement the salary increment as agreed during salary negotiations between the municipality management and the union.

The parties had signed a memorandum of understanding relating to the salary increase, which was awaiting the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development's approval. 

But in a surprise turn of events, the salary increment agreement had not been endorsed. 

"We therefore respectfully request that the Municipality Council, Management Committee and the minister give this matter due consideration and initiate appropriate processes required to evaluate and implement the proposed 3 % increase."

The protestors demanded the recently elected local authority councillors attend to the salary increase matter within seven working days.

"If the council fails to address these grievances within seven working days, we will have no other option than referring this matter to the officer of the Labour Commission, and the peaceful demonstration shall be the order of the day."

The Chief Executive Officer of the municipality, Paul Nghiwilepo, received the petition.

"I received this petition on behalf of the council, and I will present it to the council, and we will revert back to you as to the outcome."