The 356 employees of the NovaNam fishing company who last week were sacked, get their jobs back next week, but must adhere to strict conditions. The four month long dispute was resolved during an emergency meeting on Monday, fisheries minister Dr Abraham Iyambo said. The workers went on an illegal strike last October and suspended with no pay. A disciplinary hearing found them guilty last week. The presiding officer of that hearing recommended issuing a final warning to all 356, but NovaNam opted to sack them. The government then recommended helping resolve the issue so that the workers would not be in the streets, joining the army of the poor. After tough negotiations with the labour and fisheries ministry, labour unions and NovaNam officials, Minister Iyambo on Tuesday presided over a signing ceremony where all parties put their signature under an agreement. The 356 workers receive a letter with a final warning valid for 12 months, starting from their first day of work, 14 February 2006. They do not get a back pay for the 4 months lost, also no bonus or pension benefits for that period. The company will reduce its contribution to the pension fund by 50% over the 12 months. Each of the 356 had to sign a letter of acceptance of these terms on Friday, 10 February at Lüderitz. Minister Iyambo and deputy labour minister Petrus Ilonga flew to Lüderitz on Thursday to meet the 356 workers and explain the new conditions in detail. 
Photo:

Paulaus Hango (L) of the Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (Nasawu) Tuesday signed the agreement for 356 fish factory workers next to David Pokolo (R), human resources manager of NovaNam.