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THE Mineworkers Union of Namibia's Namdeb branch has urged government to consider nationalising mines in the face of the intended retrenchment of 278 workers at Skorpion Zinc Mine.
In a media statement issued, MUN branch chairperson Shavuka Mbidhi said the nationalisation of mines will ensure decent jobs, job security and maximum national benefits from the country's resources. He described the company's decision to restructure as “inhuman, ill-conceived and unpatriotic,” claiming the reasons given by the management are pathetic, lacking substance and capitalistic oriented.
The company's management, said Mbidhi, intends to maximise profits through using cheap labour by outsourcing permanent jobs to a mining contractor.
Earlier, the company said it does not have the heavy equipment needed to economically mine large quantities of waste material and within the required time frame. It was these considerations which influenced plans to outsource mining operations to a local contractor. Discussions are apparently underway between Skorpion management and the identified contractor.
Mbidhi also lashed out at government, accusing labour minister Erkki Nghimtina of turning an blind eye to the intended restructuring.
the unionist stated that “This type of leadership from the minister and his top officials is unpatriotic and counter-revolutionary, and cannot be accepted, especially at this time when the country faces a high unemployment rate.”. He furthermore called on the minister to show political clout and rescue the workers facing retrenchment and a labour contract system at Skorpion Zinc Mine.
Mr Nghimtina could not be reached for comment as he is on leave. Mbidhi warned that the workers will deal with employers in their own way if government fails to control them.
He noted that workers are not against foreigners who invest in the country, but they should do this on Namibian terms and conditions, which government must impose.