The strike at Namagra Karibib has entered its fourth day as workers rejected the company's offer to increase wages by N$2 per hour. The company has also proposed a housing allowance of N$200 per employee.

About 40 workers recently went on strike at Namagra, a company mining and processing marble at Karibib.

Most of the workers are employed on temporary fixed contracts, currently earning N$13 per hour.

They say the lowest-earning employee takes home N$2,300 per month on average, based on the current rate, and without further benefits.

Preferring anonymity for fear of victimisation, the workers say they cannot survive on their current earnings. 

The workers demand a N$3 per hour increase on their wages and N$350 on housing.

Namagra management revised its initial offer for 2024 from N$1 per hour to N$2.

The company further offered the workers an increase of 5 and 6 dollars per hour for 2025 and 2026, respectively.

A meeting for further negotiation between the parties is scheduled for Tuesday.