Staff Reporter
WORKERS of the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED) Pty Ltd have officially gone on strike on 26 February 2026, demanding better wages.
The workers, represented by the Mine Workers Union of Namibia, have demanded a once-off 14th cheque payment and a 6% wage increment, and that NORED management immediately embark on a benchmarking exercise to ensure employees are paid market-related salaries to curb any further wage disputes.
The union further said that NORED’s management has consistently displayed reluctance and unwillingness to engage constructively with employees and their representatives on matters affecting them, and thus called for a joint wellness retreat to ensure the relationship improves.
Photos: Mineworkers Union of Namibia
Further to this, the union said that it has taken note of a letter issued by NORED Electricity (Pty) Ltd through its legal representatives dated 25 February 2026, wherein NORED allegedly resorted to threats, intimidation, and misplaced legal posturing instead of constructive engagement.
The letter seeks to declare the intended industrial action unlawful, threatens summary dismissals, invokes “no work, no pay,” and goes as far as warning workers and the Union of potential civil claims for damages.
The union said that the letter further attempts to shield management behind the classification of essential services while disregarding the lawful processes that have been followed, including the issuance of statutory notice.
“Such conduct reflects a troubling pattern of governance failure. The Board’s endorsement of aggressive legal threats against its own workforce demonstrates a lack of leadership maturity, poor strategic judgment, and a complete disregard for the principles of good faith bargaining as envisaged under the Labour Act. Threatening workers with dismissal and financial ruin for exercising constitutionally protected labour rights is not only irresponsible — it is reckless. MUN therefore calls for the immediate removal of the NORED Board of Directors. Their continued stewardship has proven detrimental to labour relations stability, organisational integrity, and public confidence. The Mineworkers Union of Namibia will not be bullied into submission,” George Ampweya, the secretary-general of the Mine Workers Union, said.
