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Rehoboth signs deal with NamPost

On Tuesday, NamPost signed an agreement with the Rehoboth Town
Council allowing approximately 6900 households in Rehoboth the opportunity
to pay their municipal accounts at any NamPost branch throughout the
country. The mayor of Rehoboth said that its residents, who often have to commute daily or work in other parts of the country, were now able to pay their accounts at NamPost wherever they are. In addition, the post office in Rehoboth is closer to the majority of the Council’s customers, especially the pensioners. For this reason, the Council sees the agreement with NamPost as a clear strategy to improving its customer care practices with Rehoboth residents. Windhoek residents enjoyed a similar privilege for about 2 years, but this ended abruptly, as there was disagreement about the handling fees NamPost charged the Windhoek municipality.

AEA says farm workers get pension

A pension scheme for farm workers will be introduced this year. At the 17th annual congress of the Agricultural Employers’ Association (AEA) held in Windhoek on Tuesday a unanimous decision was taken for the scheme.

The new labour minister Marlene Mungunda told commercial farmers to apply Christian principles when dealing with farm labourers and not evict them from farms. The minister also urged farmers to regard the new regulations for maternity leave for female employees to become law soon with the new labour legislation. Chairman Helmut Förtsch noted that the AEA and the Employers Federation of Namibia (NEF) and the Labour Advisory Council had given a lot of input to the new Labour Bill, but found to their astonishment that changes and new clauses were found in the final document tabled in Parliament, which were never discussed with the organisations. Mr Harald Pupkewitz, aged 89 spoke on behalf of the NEF and said some commercial farmers still saw their farms as "islands of privilege and their fiefdom." The business doyen however also noted that labour movements should be managers of conflict and not the cause of it. A trade union could not cause workers to be unhappy, but their linkage to political power was much stronger than that of employers, he said. The Pupkewitz company has served farmers since 1928. Helmut Förtsch and Dirk Sobotta were re-elected as chairperson and deputy of the AEA respectively.

Electricity up by 8.7 percent

Despite assurances by the Windhoek City Council’s management committee at its special budget council meeting on 14 June, that no increases will burden Windhoek residents for the new budget, water was increased by a staggering 26.5 percent. On 23 June, the Electricity Control Board (ECB) granted NamPower to increase its bulk electricity tariffs by 8.7 percent. There is no doubt that this price shock well be added to the monthly bills of Windhoek residents. The Namibian capital is one of the most expensive cities to live in sub-Saharan Africa, while services like cleanliness, broken streetlights, that are repaired less speedily are becoming the order of the day. Windhoek residents pay a hefty levy for the non-existent City Police since 12 months already. Despite all promises, the police force is still not in place, but the residents have to pay for a ghost service. Opposition parties and ratepayers organisations remain dead silent on this issue.

More members in NCCI

The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) could increase its membership from 1614 to 1921 members during 2003, an increase of 19 percent. Its CEO Tarah Shaanika at the organisation’s AGM revealed this last weekend. At the same time, national corporate membership grew from 12 to 14 members. They pay higher membership fees (N$ 50 000) than ordinary corporates and individual members, Shaanika said. The SME membership grew by 39%. The NCCI used N$ 2,5 million for operating costs. This was insufficient, the CEO told the AGM, as at least N$ 3.5 million were required, including marketing the NCCI and its services. Major projects could not be implemented and 3 key positions had to be frozen, According to Shaanika. Namdeb boss Inge Zaamwani is the new NCCI president. She succeeds Dr Leake Hangala, who held this post for 4 years.

NamPower aids

black companies

The power utility NamPower has embarked on a black empowerment policy

By which it wants to buy from companies with black or previously disadvantaged Namibians. According to the MD, Dr Leake Hangala, NamPower spent N$ 600 million per annum on procurement and services. A large portion of that will now go to BEE companies or businesses with a certain percentage of black workforce and leadership. Businesses must apply by tender and provide proof of their workforce. NamPower will start a database and allocate a point system for such companies to qualify for tender allocation.

Labour force study revealed

The Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRi) said 60 % of all young Namibians and 40 % pf the women are unemployed, while unions were said to give little information on labour rights to members. The institute questioned 586 workers in different regions at the end of 2003. Most of them said they were permanently employed and worked 40-45 hours per week and 70% had less than N$ 3000 to live on, while 10% of the target group earned above N$ 6000. Most of them supported 2 to 7 dependents. Major concerns raised were lack of ongoing training at their workplaces and that only 58 % of the interviewed workers were registered at the Social Security Fund.

New stamps on fishing industry

NamPost issued another stamp range on 22 June called the "Fishing Industry in Namibia." The place of issue was Walvis Bay, and the stamp range focuses on three fish groups found in Namibian waters, namely hake, horse mackerel, and pilchards. Additional information regarding the individual fish types can be found on the accompanying information sheet of the stamp range, which was designed by Namibian artist, Lloyd Hess. Exactly 50 000 stamps and 2500 First Day Covers were printed, and will available at all NamPost branches in the country since Wednesday.