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January 2026
The Namibian
Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu)claimedlong strike will eventually translate into national crisis
Source
“This is despite claims from the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu), representing striking workers, that the long strike will eventually translate into a national crisis.”
Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu)has been recognised asthe official union for employees of Namibia Breweries Limited
Source
“The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) has been recognised as the official union for employees of Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL).”
Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Uniondemandedan overall increase of approximately 36%
Source
“The most recent written demand from the union represents an overall increase of approximately 36% across the bargaining unit, excluding additional non-financial demands.”
Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu)claimsNamib Mills brought in contract workers from APS and 360 Consult
Source
“The union claims the company has brought in additional contract workers from labour contractors APS and 360 Consult to do the labour of striking workers.”
NARETUmaintains thatworkers are demanding fairness, transparency, and dignity in the workplace
Source
“The union which represents the workers, the Namibia Revolutionary Transport Union (NARETU), maintains that workers are demanding nothing more than fairness, transparency, and dignity in the workplace.”
NARETUcalled onNamib Mills to return to the negotiating table in good faith
Source
“"The union remains committed to a resolution through meaningful engagement and calls on Namib Mills to return to the negotiating table in good faith," NARETU said.”
Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu)confirmed workers would start strikingon Monday from 07h00
Source
“Adolf Kaure Namib Mills' workers will start striking today, secretary general of the Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu), Petersen Kambinda, has confirmed.”
The Labour Court found that Trans Desert Logistics unfairly dismissed truck driver Donovan Le Roux and ordered the company to pay him more than N$58 000 in compensation and severance pay. The tribunal ruled the dismissal was not substantively fair, despite Le Roux being found guilty of disregarding company rules, disobeying instructions, and damaging company property.
Why it matters
Labour Court rules employer unfairly dismissed driver and awards compensation, affirming worker protections and fair dismissal standards.
The Labour Court found that Trans Desert Logistics unfairly dismissed truck driver Donovan Le Roux and ordered the company to pay him more than N$58 000 in compensation and severance pay. The tribunal ruled the dismissal was not substantively fair, despite Le Roux being found guilty of disregarding company rules, disobeying instructions, and damaging company property.
The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) and Namib Mills have concluded a wage deal ending a strike involving close to 1,000 workers. Under the agreement, workers will receive back pay and bonuses this week, with improved benefits automatically implemented from 1 July 2026 without further negotiation.
Namib Mills and the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union have ended a 59-day strike involving about 1,000 workers. Under the agreement, workers will receive part of last year's benefits and bonuses, with backpay expected next week and improved benefits from 1 July 2026 automatically incorporated.
A 59-day strike by nearly 700 Namib Mills workers across Namibia has ended following an agreement with the employer. The union secured improved benefits for 2026, including partial bonus payments on Friday and back pay the following week, with full benefits to take effect from 1 July.
The Namibian Employers Federation has cautioned that a draft alternative dispute resolution bill, which would allow the justice and labour minister to direct a new commission to mediate disputes deemed in the national interest, could open the door to political involvement in workplace conflicts. While labour analysts note the provision is limited to mediation requiring both parties' agreement, concerns remain about how "national interest" would be defined and the potential for ministerial overreach.
Namib Mills and the Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union have made meaningful progress in wage negotiations and reached broad agreement on substantive wage issues, but talks have stalled after the union introduced items outside the scope of the dispute. The industrial action, which began in January 2026 after months of failed negotiations, involved nearly 700 workers across multiple depots demanding higher wages, housing and transport allowances, and full December bonuses.
Namib Mills workers represented by Naretu have failed to reach a wage deal with the food manufacturer despite four rounds of mediated negotiations, with the union citing threats of disciplinary hearings and what it calls company "arrogance." The company claims it has agreed on wage issues and is ready to end the lockout, but says the union has added demands outside the scope of wage negotiations and blames workers for unlawful strike conduct.
Heavy rains destroyed a key bridge at Kasumbalesa Border Post in Zambia, forcing 700 SADC truck drivers to take alternative routes to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite authorities temporarily fixing the bridge within 48 hours, logistics companies face higher fuel and operational costs, affecting trade flow of mining inputs and mineral exports across the region.
The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union reports that close to 1,000 workers at Namib Mills sites in Windhoek, Otavi and Walvis Bay have been on strike for 54 days and have gone two months without pay due to the company's "no work, no pay" policy. The union's secretary-general has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to intervene, warning of potential food shortages if the dispute is not resolved.
Local food manufacturer Namib Mills has warned of potential retrenchments if workers reject its latest offer, which includes salary alignment, 50% of December bonus, and five months' backpay. Union leaders are holding out for 100% of the bonus and seven months' backpay, saying they will not operate on the company's deadlines.
Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union leader Petersen Kambinda says negotiations between striking Namib Mills workers and the company have progressed 80% toward an amicable solution, with agreement reached on salary and benefits. The remaining disagreements concern the December bonus and back pay, with the company offering 50% of the bonus and five months' back pay while the union seeks 100% of the bonus and seven months' back pay.
Namib Mills and the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union reached a partial agreement on wages after a three-week strike involving over 95% of workers, with the minister's mediation securing agreement on yearly salary boosts, salary adjustments, and allowances; three issues remain unresolved.
Minister Wise Immanuel has mediated talks between Namib Mills and striking workers represented by Naretu, with agreement reached on salary increments, salary adjustments, allowances, and bonuses. Several issues remain unresolved, and the minister has ordered both parties to reach consensus by the end of next week.
Namib Mills has played down claims that an ongoing employee strike is leading to food shortages, saying it is prioritising major product lines and honouring client contracts. The union representing striking workers warned that continued industrial action could lead to a national crisis with shops running out of food by week's end, but a Namibian reporter found no evidence of shortages at sampled retailers.
The strike at Namib Mills entered its second week on Monday with workers locked out across the country. The company's "final offer" includes a 5% salary increase and N$200 monthly transport allowance, but negotiations remain deadlocked over disputes regarding December bonuses and backpay, with the union accusing the company of using bonuses to punish strikers.
Namib Mills has offered employees a 10% salary increment, which the company says is three times the inflation rate, but falls short of the union's demand for a 36% increase. Workers have entered their seventh day of striking while the company has implemented a lockout, with disputes over salary equity and allegations of strike rule violations.
Namib Mills has denied recruiting additional workers to replace striking employees, but the union Naretu claims the company has breached agreed strike and lockout rules by bringing in contract workers from labour contractors. Workers remain at an impasse with the company, camped outside its head office following a lockout issued after strike notice.
Workers at Namibia's largest grain processor embarked on industrial action after the company imposed a lockout in response to their strike, which follows six months of failed salary negotiations. The union is demanding wage alignment and an end to salary disparities where newly hired workers earn more than long-serving employees in the same roles.
Workers at Namib Mills began striking on Monday after 683 of 710 employees voted to walk out in a wage dispute with management. The company has implemented a temporary lockout, with both sides having engaged the Labour Commissioner; Namib Mills says it remains willing to negotiate and has activated contingency plans to maintain food production.