The public service unions affiliated with the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA) rejected the recently concluded collective agreement between the government and other labour unions, describing the process as unlawful and not conducted in good faith.
At a press briefing on Monday, the Teachers' Union of Namibia (TUN) and the Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN) rejected the agreement between the Namibia National Teachers' Union (NANTU) and the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU). and the government, citing concerns over the 5% salary increase and full employee medical aid contributions.
The unions argue that the agreement unfairly places the burden of increased medical aid contributions solely on employees, with no reciprocal increase from the employer.
PSUN Secretary General Ndjizuvee Haakuria said that the agreement contravenes the Labour Act.
"Now having reflected on that in terms of unfair labour practices in Namibia, in terms of our labour law, it's not just any action that the employer does to you that constitutes an unfair labour practice. It is defined in law. So there is another instance; we are section 48, but you're not here for that section 49. There is a standard in terms of trade union behaviour that you must reach for you to be classified as engaging in unfair labour practices as a trade union or as an employer. And our assessment is the two bargaining unions have met the requirements as stated in section 49, which states that it is an unfair labour practice for a registered trade union to refuse to bargain collectively or to bargain in bad faith.
TUN's Mahongora Kavihuha also criticised a presidential directive requiring public servants to seek treatment at public health facilities, calling it a violation of basic conditions of employment.
"So we are going to raise these grievances as we raised with our officers across a spectrum of our public servants, and the way we requested as two federations, I mean two unions, to take the leadership in giving directions and ensuring that the economic hardship that is going to be felt by public servants as a result of this agreement is being arrested and the public servants will go on to have and enjoy their right economic status where possible."
The TUN and NAPWU warn that the announced 5% salary increase may not benefit many educators.
After accounting for medical aid contributions and dependents, lower-grade teachers, they say, could lose hundreds of dollars monthly.
Analysis provided by the unions shows teachers in Grades 11-13 with dependants might face negative balances of N$300 to over N$1,000 depending on the medical aid option, meaning the raise could leave some teachers worse off in practice.
As a result, the unions have announced plans for an "Economic National Day of Action" and indicated they will invoke provisions under the Labour Act to challenge the agreement.
They also intend to request the Office of the Labour Commissioner to appoint an independent private arbitrator, citing concerns of conflict of interest.