Listen to an interview with Marcia as she gives details of her case here
FROM IRELAND – DUBLIN COUNCIL OF TRADE COUNCILS
Dublin Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) demands the immediate re-instatement of Marcia Kauatjitotje, a security surveillance operator with Eagle Night Watch at Husab uranium mine in Namibia. She had given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal in Namibia, which our Council supported, and has been victimised for telling the truth about working conditions at the security company. She and other workers exposed such issues as, the failure of Eagle Night Watch to pay national minimum wages that had been set for security officers in 2017, the persistence of short-term contracts, the policy of sacking women workers who become pregnant, the refusal to adequately compensate workers being employed in a hazardous environment exposed to raw uranium.
DCTU also demands the re-instatement of Lourens Sorobeb, the lifting of the suspension of all other worker leaders, the workers at Eagle Night Watch in their demands for a permanent job and living wage, and for full labour rights to organise and to negotiate with their employer. DCTU further demands recognition of the right to organise trade unions and to tell the truth about wages and working conditions, without victimisation in Namibia and internationally: an end to blacklisting of workers, and that the National and Local Labour Commissioners give full support to the workers in demanding their rights.
FROM SWEDEN – MUNICIPAL COUNCILLORS AND REPLACEMENT COUNCILLORS FOR ARBETARPARTIET (WORKERS PARTY) UMEA.
We are appalled to hear about the treatment of Eagle Night Watch employee Marcia Kauatjitotje. Kauatjitotje is one of several workers at Eagle Night Watch who have stood up for their rights for fair wages and working conditions. For this she has been suspended by the company. We support workers right to organize trade unions and to tell the truth about their wages and working conditions without victimization, both in Namibia and internationally. In particular we demand the immediate reinstatement of Marcia Kauatjitotje who has given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal. We also demand the reinstatement of Lourens Sorobeb and the lifting of the suspension of all other worker leaders. All blacklisting of workers must end: workers report they are blacklisted after victimization as Namibia is a small country and worker leaders are known and discriminated against. Such anti-union and anti-worker victimization must stop and all workers must have the fair access to a job.
We demand that all ILO conventions be immediately observed, including:
C87 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948
C98 – Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
C158 – Termination of Employment Convention, 1982 (Ratified 28 Jun. 1996)
C26 – Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928
C131 – Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970
C135 – Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971
C155 – Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981
We ask that the national and local Labour Commissioners give full support to the workers in demanding their rights they won against apartheid and had enacted in law and to have the Affirmative Action Reports tabled for their discussion and approval.
We support Eagle Night Watch workers’ demand for a permanent job and a living wage and full labour rights to organize and negotiate with the employer.
FROM THESSALONIKI, GREECE – CITY COUNCILLOR (i) BOARD MEMBER OF THE HOSPITAL DOCTORS UNION(ii)
I have been informed about the case of Marcia Kauatjitotje and I want to express my indignation about the way she was treated by the Eagle Night Watch company. Workers have the right to organise and tell the truth about the working conditions they face, in Namibia and internationally.
I demand the immediate reinstatement of Marcia Kauatjitotje who has given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal and also demand the reinstatement of Lourens Sorobeb and the lifting of the suspension of all other worker leaders.
I support Eagle Night Watch workers’ demand for a permanent job and a living wage and full labour rights to organize and negotiate with the employer.
FROM THE UK – RETIRED TRADE UNIONIST AND BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
I am now retired but during my working life I was a Unison shop steward, a branch chair, and for a period a local borough councillor. I am now a member of a Unite the Union Community branch. I wish to protest in the strongest terms about the disciplinary action being taken by Eagle Night Watch against their employee Marcia Kauatjitotje. As a woman I am deeply concerned about her welfare and that of her child. Workers have the basic human right to organise and tell the truth about the working conditions they face, in Namibia and internationally.
I demand the immediate reinstatement of Marcia Kauatjitotje who has given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal and also demand the reinstatement of Lourens Sorobeb and the lifting of the suspension of all other worker leaders.
I support Eagle Night Watch workers’ demand for a permanent job and a living wage and full labour rights to organize and negotiate with the employer.
FROM THE UK – UNITE THE UNION COMMUNITY HALIFAX AND CALDER VALLEY BRANCH
We are writing on behalf of an organisation which organises retired or unemployed workers against unfair laws or anti union proposals or legislation which adversely affects workers and their families. One of our crucial priorities is to defend the rights of workers to organise trade unions and for them to be able tell the truth about their wages and working conditions without fear of reprisals or victimisation.
For this reason we demand the immediate reinstatement of Marcia Kauatjitotje of Namibia, who has given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal. We also demand the reinstatement of Lourens Sorobeb and the lifting of the suspension of all other workers’ leaders.
We are outraged at reports that in Namibia victimised workers like Marcia face lifelong blacklisting. We call for an end to all such intimidation and repression of trade-union activity. All workers must have fair access to employment without discrimination.
Britain was the first Nation to create trade unions and free trade unions are the hallmark of a civilised country. We demand your immediate observation of all the conventions of the International Labour Organisation, including:
C87 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948
C98 – Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
C158 – Termination of Employment Convention, 1982 (Ratified 28 Jun. 1996)
C26 – Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928
C131 – Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970
C135 – Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971
C155 – Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981.
We call upon the national and local Labour Commissioners to give full support to the workers in demanding the application of the rights that they had won against apartheid and the corresponding laws that were enacted, and to have Affirmative Action Reports tabled for their discussion and approval. We fully support the demand of the workers at Eagle Night Watch for permanent jobs, a living wage and full labour rights to organise and negotiate with the employer.
Employers create jobs but in making profits it is their workers who have created those profits and they accordingly should be able to bargain, through their unions, for their fair share of those profits. They need enough to live on and look after their families. It is free independent trade unions, accountable to their members in each factory/workplace, who should meet employers and negotiate such issues as pay, full time work, sick pay, paid annual leave and issues of discrimination.
I hope your group joins the civilised nations who recognise free and independent trade unions for workers to be allowed to join and organise within, without punishment or dismissal. Union members should be allowed to choose their union representatives – not the employer!
FROM ATHENS, GREECE – President of the Athenian Municipal Philharmonic Association of Musicians
We support workers right to organize trade unions and to tell the truth about their wages and working conditions without victimization in Namibia and internationally;
In particular we demand the immediate reinstatement of Marcia Kauatjitotje who has given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal;
We also demand the reinstatement of Lourens Sorobeb and the lifting of the suspension of all other worker leaders.
All blacklisting of workers must end: workers report they are blacklisted after victimization as Namibia is a small country and worker leaders are known and discriminated against; such anti-union and anti-worker victimization must stop and all workers must have the fair access to a job;
We demand that all ILO conventions including:
C87 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948
C98 – Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
C158 – Termination of Employment Convention, 1982 (Ratified 28 Jun. 1996)
C26 – Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928
C131 – Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970
C135 – Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971
C155 – Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981
be immediately observed;
We ask that the national and local Labour Commissioners give full support to the workers in demanding their rights they won against apartheid and had enacted in law and to have the Affirmative Action Reports tabled for their discussion and approval; and
We support Eagle Night Watch workers’ demand for a permanent job and a living wage and full labour rights to organize and negotiate with the employer.
FROM GREECE – GEORGIA VELLIOU
We support workers right to organize trade unions and to tell the truth about their wages and working conditions without victimization in Namibia and internationally;
In particular we demand the immediate reinstatement of Marcia Kauatjitotje who has given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal;
We also demand the reinstatement of Lourens Sorobeb and the lifting of the suspension of all other worker leaders.
All blacklisting of workers must end: workers report they are blacklisted after victimization as Namibia is a small country and worker leaders are known and discriminated against; such anti-union and anti-worker victimization must stop and all workers must have the fair access to a job;
We demand that all ILO conventions including:
C87 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948
C98 – Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
C158 – Termination of Employment Convention, 1982 (Ratified 28 Jun. 1996)
C26 – Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928
C131 – Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970
C135 – Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971
C155 – Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981
be immediately observed;
FROM GREECE: Marianthi Κipridou, Εlected member of the General Council at the Federationof Ministry of Culture.
I have been informed about the case of Marcia Kauatjitotje and I want to express my indignation about the way she was treated by the Eagle Night Watch company. Workers have the right to organise and tell the truth about the working conditions they face, in Namibia and internationally. I demand the immediate reinstatement of Marcia Kauatjitotje who has given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal and also demand the reinstatement of Lourens Sorobeb and the lifting of the suspension of all other worker leaders.
FROM USA – I live in the U.S. I strongly protest the disciplinary action taken against Marcia Kauatjitotje, currently suspended Security Surveillance operator for Eagle Night Watch. Marcia Kauatjitotje gave evidence on behalf of workers at the Labor Tribunal, and she was suspended for speaking the truth about exploitation of workers and working conditions at the security company. Marcia Kauatjitotje and Lourens Sorobeb, must be immediately reinstated, and the suspension of all other workers’ leaders must be lifted.
All workers must have fair access to employment without discrimination, and they must be able to express their views and tell the truth about their experiences, and express their grievances without fear of recrimination, intimidation, and lifelong blacklisting. I am outraged that in Namibia workers are denied these rights.
As a woman and a mother, I am outraged that Marcia Kauatjitotje and her five-year-old child, as well as the other suspended workers’ leaders and their families, are struggling because of the suspension; no one should have to choose between speaking the truth and the well-being of their family.
I am personally committed to defending the rights of workers in all countries to organize trade unions and publicly articulate their experiences about working conditions and wages without fear of victimization and reprisal. When workers in some countries are not permitted these freedoms, all workers are wronged.
I demand the immediate observation of all the conventions of the International Labor Organization, including:
C87 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948
C98 – Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
C158 – Termination of Employment Convention, 1982 (Ratified 28 Jun. 1996)
C26 – Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928
C131 – Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970
C135 – Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971
C155 – Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981.
I call upon the national and local Labor Commissioners to fully support the workers in demanding the application of the rights they won against apartheid and the corresponding laws that were enacted, and to have Affirmative Action Reports tabled for their discussion and approval.
I fully, and strongly support the demand of the workers at Eagle Night Watch for permanent jobs, a living wage and full labor rights to organize and negotiate with the employer.
FROM THE UK – I write in support of Marcia Kauatjitotje, for her work in the trade union and her role in representing her members’ interests at Eagle Night Watch. Eagle Night Watch is a sub-contractor to the Husab uranium mine (formerly Rössing South Mine) owned by the China General Nuclear Power Group and has the potential to become the second-largest uranium mine in the world. Marcia has now been suspended from Eagle Night Watch company which provides security mostly to the Husab mine inland from Swakopmund.
Workers everywhere, including in Namibia, China and the UK have the right to organize trade unions and to tell the truth about their wages and working conditions without victimization Managers are often surprised when Unions first appear or when they make previously unheard demands. We remind you of an early strike amongst Women in the UK at a factory called Grunwicks Their leader, the great Jayaben Desai said to the managers;
“What you are running is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips. Others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr Manager.’
We remember this strike 50 years later because women workers are very persistent in their demands. Bosses shouldn’t mess with the lions.
I support the demand to immediately reinstate Marcia Kauatjitotje who has given evidence on behalf of workers at the recent Labour Tribunal;
I also demand the reinstatement of Lourens Sorobeb and the lifting of the suspension of all other worker leaders. Blacklisting of workers must end: workers report they are blacklisted after victimization as Namibia is a small country and worker leaders are known and discriminated against; such anti-union and anti-worker victimization must stop and all workers must have fair access to a job;
I draw your attention to ILO conventions including:
C87 – Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948
C98 – Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
C158 – Termination of Employment Convention, 1982 (Ratified 28 Jun. 1996)
C26 – Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928
C131 – Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970
C135 – Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971
C155 – Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 be immediately observed;
I ask that the national and local Labour Commissioners give full support to the workers in demanding the rights they won against apartheid and had enacted in law and to have the Affirmative Action Reports tabled for their discussion and approval; and
We support Eagle Night Watch workers’ demand for a permanent job, a living wage and full labour rights to organize and negotiate with the employees.
I was very shocked to hear that·although Eagle Night Watch is paid Namibian Dollar NAD17,000 (US$944) a month per worker, it only pays NAD3,500 -4,000 (US$222) to the worker.
It would appear to anyone with knowledge of uranium that security at such a mine has worldwide importance. Security requires respected courageous workers, not people managing on a pittance.
In these days of global trade and investment, the conditions of workers everywhere matter to trade unionists everywhere.
Trade unionists in the UK and across the world are watching this case. Let justice and trade union rights prevail!
yours faithfully
Felicity Dowling
Retired member of National Education Union and member of Unite the Union