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Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union

Also known as: Naretu · Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union · The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union

Labour union representing transport and manufacturing workers in Namibia, engaged in wage negotiations with major employers including Namib Mills and Namibia Breweries.

2026-01-122026-07-23
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. February 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) have been on strike for three weeks following failed wage negotiations

    Source

    “Namib Mills workers, represented by the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu), have been on strike for three weeks following failed wage negotiations.”

    Labour minister Immanuel intervenes in Namib Mills strike
  3. January 2026

  4. The Namibian

    Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) claimed long 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.”

    No food shortages – Namib Mills

  5. The Namibian

    Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) has been recognised as the 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 breweries employees choose new union

  6. New Era

    Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union demanded an 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.”

    Namib Mills offers 10% salary increment

  7. The Namibian

    Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) claims Namib 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.”

    Namib Mills denies hiring extra workers during strike

  8. Informanté

    NARETU maintains that workers 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.”

    Namib Mills and workers in deadlock over salary negotiations

  9. Informanté

    NARETU called on Namib 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.”

    Namib Mills and workers in deadlock over salary negotiations

  10. New Era

    Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) confirmed workers would start striking on 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.”

    Namib Mills workers down tools …wage dispute leads to temporary lockout
Society

Union opposes on-road blood donations for truck drivers

The News

The Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union has rejected plans for truck drivers to donate blood while on the road, citing concerns about road safety and driver health. The union supports a new agreement between the Walvis Bay Corridor Group and the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia to encourage voluntary donations in the transport sector, but says donations should not occur during work time without proper medical screening, recovery time, and schedule adjustments.

16 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 July

  1. Union opposes on-road blood donations for truck drivers

    The Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union has rejected plans for truck drivers to donate blood while on the road, citing concerns about road safety and driver health. The union supports a new agreement between the Walvis Bay Corridor Group and the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia to encourage voluntary donations in the transport sector, but says donations should not occur during work time without proper medical screening, recovery time, and schedule adjustments.

    16 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 29 June

  1. Namibian truck drivers withdraw from South Africa over xenophobia concerns

    Namibian transport companies are withdrawing drivers from South Africa ahead of a planned anti-immigrant protest and a 30 June deadline set by protesters for illegal immigrants to leave. The withdrawals are disrupting cross-border trade, with companies citing driver safety concerns and insurer warnings of security risks.

    29 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 15 May

  1. Labour Court rules Trans Desert Logistics unfairly dismissed driver

    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.

    15 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 1 May

  1. Naretu, NBL sign wage deal with 5% salary increase

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) and Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) have signed a wage agreement granting NBL employees a 5% salary increase, an adjusted housing allowance of N$2,000 per month, and salary alignment measures, effective from 1 January to 31 December, with all adjustments backdated to January.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Namib Mills workers end 59-day strike with union wage agreement

    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.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namib Mills, union reach deal ending 59-day strike

    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.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Namib Mills strike ends after 59 days with wage agreement

    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.

    12 March 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Employers warn draft dispute resolution bill risks political intervention

    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.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Namib Mills ready to conclude wage agreement with workers

    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.

    10 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 9 March

  1. Namib Mills strike enters ninth week with no agreement

    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.

    9 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Zambian bridge collapse disrupts regional truck traffic

    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.

    9 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 March

  1. Namib Mills strike reaches day 54 amid two months unpaid

    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.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 20 February

  1. Namib Mills warns of retrenchments as strike enters sixth week

    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.

    20 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 14 February

  1. Namib Mills strike nears resolution after company concessions

    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.

    14 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 February

  1. Namib Mills and union reach partial wage agreement

    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.

    2 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. Labour minister mediates progress in three-week Namib Mills strike

    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.

    2 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 30 January

  1. Namib Mills says strike not causing food shortages yet

    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.

    30 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Naretu becomes official union for Namibia Breweries workers

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) has been recognised as the official union for Namibia Breweries Limited employees, replacing the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) after gaining majority worker support in November. Both the union and brewery management have expressed commitment to sound labour relations.

    21 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 20 January

  1. Namib Mills wage talks collapse into second week of strike

    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.

    20 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 19 January

  1. Namib Mills offers 10% pay rise amid ongoing strike

    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.

    19 January 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 15 January

  1. Namib Mills denies hiring workers to replace strikers

    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.

    15 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 14 January

  1. Namib Mills workers strike over wage disparity after failed talks

    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.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 12 January

  1. Namib Mills workers strike over wages, company locks out staff

    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.

    12 January 2026 · New Era →

Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute