Namibia: Teachers continue the strike

There is no indication from striking teachers they will return to school any time soon as the crippling nationwide strike reaches its fifth day today, with more schools reportedly closing after thousands more teachers joined the strike.

Although striking teachers in the Khomas Region will know their fate today on whether they can continue participating in an industrial action at the Government Office Park, they are adamant that not even a court order will not stop them from picketing elsewhere.

Striking teachers on Wednesday suffered a legal setback when the High Court extended a motion for an urgent application restraining them from participating in an industrial action at the Government Office Park.

Government Attorney Matty Asino filed an urgent application on behalf of the Ministry of Education to compel the striking teachers to vacate the premises where they have been picketing since Monday morning.

The teachers are also expected to show cause today at 14h00 as to why the order should not be granted. According to the motion, the teachers are striking illegally in front of the Government Office Park where the head office of the Ministry of Education is located.

The nationwide teachers' strike is viewed with mixed feelings with some opposition parties blaming the Swapo Party-led government for the ongoing industrial action. "Although we are not condoning the strike, at least Swapo and government must step in and talk to their affiliates to rescue the situation," one opposition party lawmaker said.

"Considering all the reasons given by most, if not all the striking workers it comes down to lack of leadership from the Swapo affiliated trade union leaders. It is becoming clearer that the union leadership is more for securing [seats in] parliament, the Swapo Central Committee as well as Cabinet," reads a NUDO statement issued yesterday.

The Rally for Democracy and Progress Youth League (RDPYL) also blames government for the teachers striking "as their demands have fallen on deaf ears since 2006".

"The same solidarity goes to other civil servants who continue to endure ill-treatment by this greedy regime. Let it be known that those negotiating on behalf of the public [service] workers are totally compromised by their unholy alliance with the ruling elites," said Sibuku Malumbano, the RDPYL secretary.