Civil servants up in arms over Napwu/Govt deal

By Confidente Reporter
CIVIL servants are accusing the Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) of signing the five percent pay rise with Government last week without first consulting them. They further accused the union of not having their best interests at heart.
The civil servants told Confidente that on many occasions the union made decisions on their behalf without consulting them, a move that saw at least 1 700 request to part ways with Napwu in February last year.
“The union again signed this agreement without consulting us. We want the union to provide proof of the meetings of consultations they had with civil servants regarding the increments and other matters. They have a habit of signing agreements on our behalf without talking to us. This just shows that they do not have our best interests at heart,” a civil servant said on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation.
The Government workers also told Confidente that when such matters arise, Government strictly engages the union but they the affected parties are left in the dark.
During the re-grading process almost three years ago, the workers claim they were also not consulted adding that when the decision was appealed, Government through the office of the Prime Minister referred them to the union for answers.
“We only learn of such agreements in the newspapers. How do we confide in a union that does not consult us about matters that affect us? They are supposed to be on our side but they are not. It is difficult to go to them because they also do not give us clear answers. These are burning issues that have left many wanting to terminate their membership,” another worker said.
At least 1 700 civil servants in the countries four ‘O’ regions of Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati and Ohangwena through a committee tried to hand in their membership termination letters last year but Napwu officials at the time reportedly refused to accept them. “People are fed up with Napwu. They keep on deducting their money monthly but do not serve the people they deduct the money from. They don’t ask about our opinions and are always making empty promises. It is because of Napwu that we find ourselves in this predicament,” another worker said.
The workers also highlighted that although the union represents a minority, all civil servants are affected by agreements the union makes with government.
“All civil servants are affected by what Napwu does whether you are member or not. Why should people be stuck like this? This is a sell-out, this must stop now for we cannot take it anymore,” another worker said.
While the union reportedly refuses to accept membership termination forms, a call to the union’s headquarters by Confidente revealed that one has to write a letter to the union’s general secretary and give a month notice. The workers however maintain that those who wished to terminate their followed those procedures but the union reportedly makes it difficult for them. “It is this thing of throwing people from office to office that confuses us. Sadly many people are not aggressive and they suffer in silence,” another worker said. Meanwhile, Napwu General Secretary Peter Nevonga was quick to trash the allegations saying that the union keeps in touch with its members.
“…Those that came to you are not union members. Our members know what channels to follow if they have grievances so I don’t understand why they came to you. Such complaints have not reached our offices,” Nevonga said.
Asked why the union refused to accept the termination letters, Nevonga said, “I do not know what you are talking about.”