The Tsumeb municipality employees who had been on strike since Monday have since resumed work on Wednesday after the local authority reached an agreement with the Namibia Local Authority Workers Union over a salary increment.

NALAWU Head of Operations Lesley Mosegedi said the parties agreed on a 4% salary increment across the board for all employees in the bargaining unit, as defined in the recognition and procedural agreement.

Mosegedi stated that the industrial action was triggered by the failure to implement salary and wage increments for the 2026/2027 financial year, noting that workers had allegedly been without an increment for the past three to four years.

"The employees are very happy; at least something better than nothing has been offered to them. This settlement agreement is as follows: we have agreed on a 4% salary increment, and we have also agreed to adjust a standby allowance from N$100 to 350. We have agreed to do a salary review, which, in other words, is also regarding. Furthermore, the parties agree that the principle of no work, no pay will not be implemented, meaning the workers will not be deducted for the two days they were on strike."

The salary increment will be implemented with effect from 1 July 2026. The conciliation process started on 6 October. On 13 October, about 111 employees participated in a strike ballot, with 99 voting in favour of the strike. The union notified the council of the planned strike on 14 October. 

The labour dispute disrupted municipal operations earlier this week, the municipality announced on its social media platforms.

Tsumeb Mayor Hofni Hamunyela confirmed the outcome of the strike, saying the council had agreed to a 4% salary increment for employees.