Govt will not break Air Namibia promise
2021-03-12
Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste has indicated employees of troubled Air Namibia would receive their full severance packages at the end of this month.
According to Jooste, government will also pay the promised ex-gratia to the value of 12 months’ salary to each employee in a single lump sum.
“I have instructed officials from the ministries of public enterprises and finance to meet as soon as practical to clarify the modalities whereafter we will ensure that full implementation takes place,” Jooste told New Era.
Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi also assured lawmakers in the National Assembly yesterday that government will not renege on its promise of providing ex-gratia payment to Air Namibia employees.
Union seeks payment guarantee
THE president of the Namibia Cabin Crew Union, Reginald Kock stated that currently as it stands government might back out of its 12-month ex-gratia salary payment promised to Air Namibia employees.
Speaking to Informanté, Kock gave his reaction to the recent liquidation of the national airline and explained that an ex gratia payment is made out of an employer’s own discretion and is not obligated by law.
“How will this payment be guaranteed? The government might payout for a few months, the Cabinet would be reshuffled and the newly appointed authorities could disagree, we are looking at ways of guaranteeing these payments. We are happy, it’s a very generous offer, however, it needs to be guaranteed,” Kock stated.
Cabin crew union condemns closure of Air Namibia
THE Namibia Cabin Crew Union (NCCU) has condemned in the stringers terms the voluntary liquidation of Air Namibia and expressed that the national airline can only be closed through a referendum signed by the Namibian people.
Speaking at a press briefing today, the president of the NCCU, Reginald Kock, suggested that the looming closure is well orchestrated.
“This was a sustained covert and conceited effort by a few individuals to collapse the airline for quick personal gain. Monopoly capital will not win today, it is only the Namibian people through a referendum can close Air Namibia,” he said.