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DESCRIPTION:3/1/26 Panel: Namibia, The Working Class, Unions & Chinese 
 Imperialism\n\nNambia is one of the richest countries in the world in 
 natural resources yet it has massive poverty and a campaign of union 
 busting throughout the country. The largest investor of public and private 
 capital in Namibia is China and this panel will look at what this has meant 
 for the Namibian working class and unions. The two largest uranium mines in 
 Nambia Husab mine and Rossing Mine are owned by Chinese public companies 
 and many marble, lithium and other mines are owned by Chinese investors. 
 Workers at these mines are fighting for health and safety and the right to 
 a union \nPanelists Mine Workers From the Husab and Rossing Mines Workers 
 from other mines and workplaces in Namibia \nPatrick Bond, Professor of 
 Political Economy at University of Johannesburg. Sponsored By WorkWeek 
 labormedia1@gmail.com\n\nNamibia, The Working Class, Unions & Chinese 
 Imperialism\nTime: Mar 1, 2026 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) 7:00 
 PM Namiba/S. Africa Time\nJoin Zoom 
 Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/87510537956?pwd=Xb0qYYDajHC4xb3prfMfwiKCpEUgUH.1\n\nMeeting 
 ID: 875 1053 7956\nPasscode: 239113\n\nNamibia: Chinese firms slammed over 
 ‘unfair labour practices and squalid living conditions' they have 
 subjected mine workers to; includes company comments\nRead more\n\nCaptured 
 Namibian Mine Workers Union Of Nambia Signs Deal With Union Busting 
 Contractor  Beifang Mining Technology Services After Rossing Mines Layed 
 Off Hundreds of 
 Workers\nhttps://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2232560450420883\nBeifang Mining 
 Technology Services has officially recognized the [Mineworkers Union of 
 Namibia](https://www.facebook.com/MUNNAMIBIA?__tn__=-]K) (MUN) as the sole 
 bargaining agent for workers at Rössing Uranium Ltd and Swakop Uranium Pty 
 Ltd.\n\nMUN Secretary-General George Ampweya emphasizes the importance of 
 this recognition.\n\nListen to his insights 
 here:[https://www.eaglefm.com.na/.../on-the-radar-with.../](https://www.eaglefm.com.na/podcast/on-the-radar-with-fransina-10-july-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0tis-s4lCKYkvH1c2hfmQkQrjzb2G0PmP7sFfANsJ5HASP4A3Rt-LjIFQ_aem_vZ2KP9kAgFmdhmJ7Ss5V8A)\n\n‘New 
 mine owners trample on Namibian workers’ rights’ 15 April 
 2021\n\nAbitter dispute between the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) and 
 China National Nuclear Corporation Rössing Uranium Limited (CNNC RUL) is 
 heading to arbitration in Swakopmund from 19 to 21 April 2021. CNNC RUL, 
 which bought a 68.62% stake in the Rössing Uranium Mine from 
 Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto Zinc in July 2019, has been heavily 
 criticised for how it runs the mine – including its unfair labour 
 practices. Rössing is one of the largest uranium mines in the world, and 
 the MUN has spent decades negotiating excellent collective agreements and 
 policies for its 780 members, says Johannes Hamutenya, the union’s 
 Rössing branch chairperson.\n\n…“The retrenchment policy is the best 
 in Namibia. The Chinese and Namibian management wanted all these documents 
 renegotiated so that they could have more power to do what they want,” 
 says Hamutenya. The new managers also wanted to do away with pay scales. 
 “They wanted to breach the Affirmative Action Act by paying employees as 
 they see fit, whereas it says jobs of equal value must be compensated 
 equally. Eventually they said they won’t give us a salary increase if we 
 refuse to renegotiate. They threatened to nullify all the collective 
 agreements, which is unlawful.”\n\n…Two months ago they wrote to 
 Namibia’s president Hage Geingob. They haven’t had a response from 
 either president. The mine is also 10% owned by South Africa’s Industrial 
 Development Corporation, which did not respond to questions. Similarly, the 
 manager of corporate communication for CNNC RUL, Daylight Ekandjo, said: 
 “This matter is sub-judice and being dealt with through the office of the 
 Namibian Labour Commissioner, we can therefore unfortunately not address 
 your related queries at this stage.” …Mutenya is hopeful, but 
 recognises that the fight is much bigger than the individuals involved: 
 “Our fight is so difficult because it is a political fight. The 
 politicians are involved. It is the relationship between China and the 
 Namibian government. So we workers on the floor, we mean 
 nothing.”\n\n\n\nBEIFANG MINE WORKERS ACCUSE EMPLOYER OF LABOUR 
 VIOLATIONS\n\nEmployees of Beifang Mining Services have accused their 
 employer of not adhering to labour laws and subjecting them to bad working 
 conditions.\n\nEmployees spoke to the Windhoek Observer on condition of 
 anonymity for fear of victimisation\n\n“Things at Beifang are worse, 
 victimisation, tribalism, racism, favouritism, discrimination, unfair 
 dismissal, and underpayment are the order of the day. We are forced to work 
 on weekends continuously with no overtime unless on a public holiday,” 
 said one employee.\n\nThe employee added that the safety of the workers is 
 their biggest concern.\n\nThe employee claims that those who speak up face 
 suspension.\n\n“The worst part is poor working conditions. Truck 
 operators are forever complaining about backaches because of the poor roads 
 in the pits and the dust. They don’t even have water dosers.” The only 
 water dosers on site are for Swakop Uranium,” explained the 
 employee.\n\nAccording to the employees, several of them, especially 
 operators who drive heavy-duty vehicles, are suffering from kidney problems 
 caused by bad roads in the mine.\n\n“The bosses covered up this story and 
 gave the operator something to silence him. The workers don’t even get 
 bonuses. All they get is cool drinks at the end of their work shifts,” 
 alleged the employees.\n\nBeifang Mining Services’ human resource 
 manager, Anthony Wilson did not respond to questions sent to him by the 
 time the article was published.\n\nSafety concerns have persisted at the 
 mine.\n\nIn 2019, the mine experienced a strike by disgruntled employees 
 supported by the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), demanding the removal 
 of Beifang Mining Services from the site.\n\nAt the time, Beifang, the 
 drilling and blasting contractor, was accused of leaving detonators lying 
 around on the site.\n\nOn 25 April The MUN and the management of Beifang 
 Mining Services signed an agreement that saw employees within the drilling, 
 loading, and hauling departments receive payment in full at double the 
 employees’ hourly basic rate for “work on Sundays” (overtime).\n\nMUN 
 secretary-general, George Ampweya explained that despite the employer being 
 exempted from paying overtime under Section 21 of the Namibian Labour Act 
 11-2007 due to being designated as a continuous operation, they reached 
 this agreement.\n\n“The parties further agreed that all employment 
 contracts will be extended to align with the duration of the service level 
 agreements between the company and its clients Rössing Uranium and Swakop 
 Uranium, respectively,” he said.\n\nThe Windhoek Observer has learned 
 that neither the MUN nor the Revolutionary Union RU have full bargaining 
 power at the mine.\n\nWorkers are currently torn between MUN and RU.\n\nRU 
 and Beifang Mining Services, on 20 March signed a recognition 
 agreement.\n\nThe agreement was reversed by Beifang Mining Services on 11 
 April.\n\nThe mine claimed that the union only had 49% worker 
 representation.\n\n“We have discovered that the application forms we have 
 received as well as the total number of active employees on your list 
 contain 274 employees out of the 598 employees at the end of March,” 
 Wilson told RU in a letter dated 11 April.\n\nRU’s central secretary, 
 Julius Natangwe, refuted these claims, stating that they have 403 members 
 because they submitted a list of 70 applications on 12 April.\n\nHe also 
 alleged that the mine has delayed paying the workers’ membership money 
 over to the union.\n\n“Take note that any job losses or victimisation of 
 our members while in the process of playing your dirty politics, will be 
 considered a declaration of war against the RU. We are not shaken, and in 
 fact, your dirty games will only make us stronger,” said Natangwe.\n\nIn 
 the meantime, RU has called on Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndeitwah to 
 visit Beifang Mining Services and the African Big Lion mine.\n\nIn a letter 
 dated 30 April to Nandi-Ndeitwah, the union’s central secretary, Julius 
 Natangwe, alleged unfair labour practices and unconducive working 
 conditions by African Big Lion Mine and Beifang Mining Services.\n\n“We 
 respectfully request that you consider paying a courtesy visit to Beifang 
 Mining Services and Africa Big Lion to witness firsthand the plight of the 
 workers and to demonstrate your support for their rights. Your intervention 
 could make a significant difference in improving the working conditions and 
 livelihoods of these individuals,” said Natangwe.\n\n‘Uis mine 
 workers’ living conditions annoys council’ 24 August 2023\n\nErongo 
 Regional Council chairperson Benita Imbamba has rapped both Xinfeng 
 Investment and Longfire Investment over unfair labour practices and squalid 
 living conditions they have subjected mine employees to. A dismayed 
 Imbamba, who visited the mine site on Friday, informed New Era there has 
 been no improvement despite previous assurances by the companies to the 
 parliamentary standing committee during a visit in May this year. The 
 abhorrent living conditions were also witnessed by members of the standing 
 committee on natural resources and journalists during the visit. Imbamba 
 was joined in her condemnation by Mine Workers Union (MUN) secretary for 
 the western region Filleppus Ampweya, who also expressed extreme shock 
 during their visit to the two partners mining operation outside Uis. They 
 witnessed first-hand the deplorable living and employment conditions of 
 workers at the mine. Imbamba expressed frustration, saying nothing has been 
 done to improve the living conditions of the workers, despite promises by 
 the companies.\n\n…In stark contrast, Chinese nationals, also employed by 
 the two partners, reside in comfortable panel rooms, with two individuals 
 sharing a room. These rooms are equipped with air conditioning, decent 
 kitchen facilities and bathrooms. The glaring disparity in living 
 conditions also drew disappointment from the parliamentarians, who labelled 
 the situation as a form of intra-racial oppression. During the visit, 
 Likulano Januarie, owner of Long Fire, a partner of the controversial 
 Xinfeng, acknowledged the deplorable facilities for Namibian workers. 
 Januarie gave an assurance that the company was working to address the 
 issue: “Yes, we will definitely rectify the issue as our operations are 
 also growing.”\n\n…Responding to questions yesterday, Xinfeng said it 
 is committed to prioritising the well-being and safety of its employees, 
 while also ensuring optimal working conditions in all aspects of its 
 operations. Xinfeng has implemented comprehensive measures to create a 
 secure and productive work environment, the company stated. On the health 
 and safety front, it said: “The company understands that the mining 
 industry can present inherent risks, and thus has developed a robust 
 framework to mitigate potential hazards. This includes regular safety 
 training sessions, risk assessment procedures, and the provision of 
 personal protective equipment (PPE) to all employees… Xinfeng continued: 
 “Xinfeng Investments wish to reiterate that our employees are our most 
 valuable asset, and their well-being is of paramount importance. We are 
 committed to nurturing a positive work culture that encourages growth, 
 development and a sense of belonging for everyone working at Xinfeng 
 operated mines within Namibia.”\n\nMUN WESTERN REGION CONDEMNS ACTIVITIES 
 OF NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AT HUSAB MINE OWNED BY CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER 
 GROUP\n\n\nThe Mine Workers Union of Namibia’s (MUN) western regional 
 office has raised serious concerns over what it describes as 
 unconstitutional activities initiated by the union’s Head Office 
 Administration.\n\nAccording to Abiud Kapere, chairman of the MUN’s 
 western region, these actions have been undertaken without the mandate of 
 the National Executive Committee (NEC) and are in direct violation of the 
 MUN Constitution.\n\nIn a statement on Wednesday, Kapere reiterated that 
 the issuance of disciplinary enquiry notices by a MUN staff member against 
 union members concerning matters related to structural activities 
 represents a grave breach of members’ constitutional rights.\n\n“The 
 western region has also noted the alarming silence from the NEC regarding 
 these arbitrary actions, which we believe signifies complicity and a 
 failure to uphold the union’s constitutional principles,” he 
 said.\n\nKapere cited Article 13 of the MUN Constitution, which mandates 
 that the NEC ensure compliance with the Constitution and protect members’ 
 rights.\n\n“By remaining silent, the NEC is seen as abdicating its 
 responsibility and becoming complicit in the ongoing constitutional 
 violations,” he added.\n\nAccording to Kapere, the western region is 
 committed to accountability, constitutional compliance, and 
 transparency.\n\nKapere stressed that the region demands strict adherence 
 to the MUN Constitution at all levels of the union.\n\nHe expressed concern 
 over the misuse of membership fees to convene unauthorised NEC meetings 
 aimed at targeting members with dissenting views.\n\nKapere condemned the 
 usage of the union funds to finance legal battles against members, 
 describing it as a tactic to silence opposition and prevent members from 
 participating in leadership structures that promote 
 accountability.\n\n“This imbalance is not only unjust but also a clear 
 conflict of interest,” Kapere said while pointing to the fact that many 
 current leadership figures have benefitted from questionable 
 transactions.\n\nHe said these transactions were supposed to be scrutinised 
 following a resolution passed at the May 2023 Congress, which called for a 
 forensic audit and an extraordinary congress to be held within six 
 months.\n\n“However, the implementation of this resolution has been 
 delayed, with no sign of the promised Extraordinary Congress by the end of 
 August 2024,” he added.\n\nThe western region, according to Kapere, 
 demands that the congress convene no later than November 2024.\n\nHe warned 
 that failure to do so would force the regional office to take legal or 
 other appropriate action.\n\nKapere dismissed the excuse of insufficient 
 funds and the restricted NAMIT Trust account as unacceptable.\n\n“The MUN 
 Constitution does not allow for the Trust to fund the union’s operational 
 activities, and using Trust funds for the Extraordinary Congress is seen as 
 another attempt to misuse resources meant for the Trust’s 
 beneficiaries,” he stated.\n\nFour other regions have joined the western 
 region in calling for an extraordinary congress.\n\n“The NEC’s 
 reluctance to comply with this demand, coupled with what the Western Region 
 describes as “baseless excuses,” will not deter the region from 
 advocating for governance and accountability in line with the Congress 
 Resolution,” Kapere maintained.\n\nHe said that the western region 
 distanced itself from the “unfounded and baseless” allegations made by 
 the General Secretary regarding union-busting activities at 
 Husab.\n\nKapere stated that these claims were never raised by the Branch 
 to the Region or the NEC and are viewed as a deliberate attempt to 
 destabilise the Western Region.\n\nHe urged all members to stay focused on 
 the goal of holding the Extraordinary Congress, highlighting that it is 
 illogical for leaders elected by over 700 members to be removed by a select 
 few, particularly when considering the cost implications for 
 members.\n\n“The Western Region remains united and determined to uphold 
 the principles of transparency, accountability, and constitutional 
 compliance,” he said.\n\nKapere called on all patriotic union members to 
 take an active role in directing the organisation for the benefit of 
 all.\n\nThe MUN acting vice president, Shavuka Mbidhi, confirmed that the 
 leadership has received the letter and will respond to the western region 
 in the coming days.\n\n\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2026/02/27/18884531.php
SUMMARY:Namibia, The Working Class, Unions & Chinese Imperialism: A Panel
LOCATION:To join the meeting 
 panel:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/87510537956?pwd=Xb0qYYDajHC4xb3prfMfwiKCpEUgUH.1
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2026/02/27/18884531.php
DTSTART:20260301T170000Z
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