NEW UNIONS FORMED
Several strikes and the formation of new trade unions linked to SWAPO's affiliate, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), signalled a revival of militant worker organisation in Namibia in the second half of 1986.
These developments took place in the face of further attempts by the authorities to restrict independent worker organisation or to channel it into unions created by parties in the MPC administration.
RESTRICTIVE LAWS
At the end of 1985 the Administrator-General referred the newly-legislated Wage and Industrial Conciliation Amendment Act back to the MPC administration for reconsideration, on the grounds that it might have contravened the constitutional framework of the MPC. Had it been promulgated the Act would have prohibited unions registered in South Africa from establishing branches in Namibia. It would also have made it illegal for persons not normally 'resident' in Namibia to become officials or members of unions established in the territory. (FOCUS 63 p.10)
The law was introduced to curb independent South African trade unions, notably the National Union of Mine Workers, which were assisting Namibian workers to organise.
The MPC Administration introduced a new law, the Regulation of Residence of Certain Persons in South West Africa Act. This allows the authorities to deport 'aliens' and obliges visitors to obtain permits to stay in the territory for periods of longer than thirty days. The Act could be used against visiting unionists. However, in November this act was also ruled unconstitutional. (See CHURCHES CHALLENGE CURFEW) (WA 1.4.86)
In May 1986, the administration established a National Labour Council, charged with monitoring developments in the field of labour and recommending legislative changes. It is a tripartite body made up of representatives of the authorities, employers and trade unions. All are appointed by the administration without consultation with trade unions. The only labour representatives on the Council are presently drawn from white unions and staff associations.
The Council is the equivalent of the National Manpower Commission in South Africa, a body created in the early 1980s to oversee industrial relations. In South Africa the Commission has tried to anticipate issues around which workers might mobilise and recommended legislative reform to defuse conflict. It is similarly unrepresentative of African workers. (Nam 8.8.86, 26.9.86)
Political parties and individuals linked to the MPC Administration have attempted to create compliant trade unions and hive off sections of Namibia's workforce from the influence of independent black trade unions. The Namibia National Trade Union (NNTU), founded by followers of Moses Katjiuongua, an official of the MPC administration, has established the Drivers, Transport and Allied Workers Union (DTAWU). Similarly the Namibian Builders' Trade Union was formed in October: its president was Aloysius Yon, vice chairman of the National Labour Council. (Nam 11.7.86; WA 13.10.86). The DTAWU is to seek registration with the Department of Manpower and Civic Affairs. Under Namibia's Wage and Industrial Conciliation Ordinance (last amended in 1978) registered unions are subject to several restrictions including a prohibition on affiliation to political parties. (FOCUS 63 p.10)
INDEPENDENT UNION
However, at the same time two trade unions have been formed linked to the NUNW, the trade union federation initiated by SWAPO. Suppressed after the wave of strikes by contract workers in Namibia in the early 1970s, the NUNW has organised clandestinely in the intervening period. The newly-formed Namibian Food and Allied Union (NAFAU), founded in September 1986, has 6,000 signed-up members and includes among its aims the implementation of Resolution 435. By November it had established workers' committees at 38 food-related businesses in and around Windhoek. The general secretary of the union is John (Alfons) Pandeni - a former political prisoner. (Nam 3.10.86; WA 24.11.86)
On 23 November another NUNW-linked union, the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) was launched at a founding congress in Katutura. The congress was attended by more than 100 representatives from major mines, including the Tsumeb Corporation, Rossing Uranium and Consolidated Diamond Mines (CDM). Ben Uulenga, a SWAPO activist recently released from imprisonment on Robben Island, was elected general secretary. He is also National Organiser of the NUNW. The formation of the union follows a period of clandestine NUNW organisation on mine compounds and attempts by the South African NUM to extend its presence to Namibia. (Independent 24.11.86; FOCUS 63 p.10)
The MUN aims to campaign for an adequate minimum wage, an upgrading of living standards and the implementation of UN Resolution 435. (Independent 24.11.86)
The NAFAU played a leading role in a number of successful strikes between July and October. Workers at the Swavleis Corporation's meat factory in Windhoek took action in a series of disputes over steps taken by the management. In September hourly workers twice downed tools when their wages and working hours were cut by a third, in a measure applied to black workers only. After negotiations, management backed down and reinstated previous pay scales and working hours. Many of the workers were NAFAU members.
In October 350 workers at the company's Okahandja abattoir went on strike after management announced that the plant would be closed until February 1987, to carry out 'capital improvements'. Workers would be sent home for three months without pay. The strikers demanded that they receive payment in advance, to tide them over the period of closure.
The response of management was to dismiss the workers. However, they retracted when the labour force at the Windhoek factory, acting in solidarity, refused to handle quotas of meat slaughtered in Okahandja. The strikers were reinstated and it was agreed they would receive an extra month's payment to compensate for the period of closure. (Nam 18.7.86/ 5.9.86; WA 28.10.86)
In October there was also a strike at the Taurus Chemical seaweed plant in Luderitz. The entire workforce of 160 workers struck in solidarity with 16 fellow workers who had been fired after they refused to reveal the identity of a man accused of 'idling' on the job. The workers were all paid-up members of NAFAU. Following a week of negotiations with the union the workers were reinstated. (Nam 17/ 24.10.86)
In November workers employed at the Hartliefs Meat Factory in Windhoek struck over the retrenchment of four fellow workers. They returned to work when management began negotiations with the NAFAU. (Nam 7.11.86)
In a separate example of worker organisation in October the 3000-strong workforce employed at the CDM diamond mine at Oranjemund - a site of NUM activity - boycotted festivities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the town. The majority were contract workers. The workers described the request by the management of the mine to participate in the celebrations as 'an insult'. A spokesperson stated that the settlers were not celebrating the birth of the town 'but more than 50 years of plundering one of our most valuable resources by CDM and the government of the colonial power.' Companies like CDM, he said, were 'anxious to strip the country bare before a government of the people can bring its natural resources under its control.' To us 50 years of celebration is a reminder of 50 years of exploitation, overmining and oppression of the Namibian people.' The miners stayed away from all the celebrations. (Nam 24/31.10.86)
The NUNW intends to form other unions under its umbrella. A Metal and Allied Workers Union is planned, as well as unions among farm and domestic workers and in the transport and fishing industries. (WA 24.11.86)
A new publication on the situation of workers in Namibia is available from IDAF: Working Under South African Occupation: Labour in Namibia (Fact Paper on Southern Africa No.14).
The booklet examines the migrant labour system, discrimination and the living conditions of Namibian workers. It also describes the struggle to organise trade unions in the face of police and army repression.
