Staff Reporter
THE short-term notice of school closures for the next two days has brought about mass confusion and panic amongst teachers and learners, who will have to make alternative plans to catch up on the academic calendar.
The office of the Prime Minister announced the closure of schools for 28 and 29 July 2022 due to the nationwide voting process of civil servants, which will decide to forge ahead or not with a mass strike on the back of failed salary negotiations with government.
The strike action ballot process is spearheaded by the Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU), and the Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU). It has left out sister unions such as the Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) and the Public Service Union of Namibia (PSUN), which represents about 23 000 public sector workers in Namibia.
The secrecy of the balloting process has also been chastised by some industry experts, who complained about the fact that public servants would have to write down their names and personal details, despite the fact that the unions proposed a secret ballot.
In a public service management circular, George Simataa, secretary to cabinet stated, “You are hereby informed that a deadlock has been reached in the matter between NAPWU/NANTU and the government being the employer regarding the ongoing salary and benefits improvement negotiations. A certificate of unresolved dispute has been issued in this matter. The trade unions have therefore proposed to conduct a secret ballot for all staff members in the Public service. The ballot is scheduled to take place during the period of the 28th-29th July 2022”.
The prime minister, being the employer, has granted permission to eligible staff members to partake in the balloting on the dates communicated by the two parties.
However, in terms of Section 2(2) of the Labour Act 11 (2007) and the Recognition Agreement that members of services as defined in Section 1 of the Public Service Act 13 (1995) are not allowed to participate.
Management Cadre and those rendering essential services are eligible to vote, but cannot partake in a strike if such decision is taken.
Furthermore, an appeal is made to Accounting Officers to make sure that the releasing of staff members to participate in this process does not cause distraction to public service delivery. Efforts should be made for staff members to be released at intervals to ensure that there is continued service delivery.
The Office of the Prime Minister has also engaged staff members in Regional structures to assist government in this process, such as Regional Directors of Education to lead observers at schools and Deputy Directors in Human Resource to serve as lead coordinators for each region. A number of other staff members in the region will also be nominated to support the balloting.
