A delay in the approval to effect salary increases for workers of the Outjo Municipality by the Minister of Urban and Rural Development has resulted in them taking to the streets to voice their displeasure.

On behalf of the workers, the Namibia Local Authority Workers Union is demanding answers as to why it is taking so long to approve the increase despite successful wage negotiations.

The union representative, Maleagi Iilonga, says the delay in approving the five percent increment is an infringement of the workers' rights, most of whom earn less than N$5,000.

The last time workers received an increment was about eight years ago.

There have also not been any promotions over the last 20 years.

"By negotiating in good faith in the beginning during salary and wage negotiations in July for the fiscal year 2022-2023, the Council has shown total disregard for our social and economic welfare, and by agreeing in principle, the Council continues to deliberately use the minister's disapproval as a scapegoat to deny us what is due to us. In fact, we did everything possible and reasonable, but the council negotiated in bad faith by referring our demands to the line ministry and then purposefully using them to frustrate us.

They are also demanding proper protective wear for workers in the technical department who work in hazardous conditions.

A better grading system, health and safety protocols, housing, and cellphone allowances are some of the matters they want to be addressed.

Josef |Urib, CEO of the Outjo Municipality, received the petition. "I have informed them that I will hand over the petition to my council, and I have also assured them that I respect their democratic right and that it's their right to express themselves in the way they are expressing themselves. We already agreed, in July, with the union on a 5% salary increment, but as per the directive of the minister and the Local Authorities Act, we must get approval from the ministry. The council has agreed with them, although we have still not signed because we cannot sign the agreement on 5% with the union if we are not approved by the minister."

The workers have given the council 14 working days to respond to their demands, and failure to do so will result in a work stoppage.