XXᵉ siècle – XXᵉ siècle
Namibia
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Namibian trade union movement expanded rapidly in the later 1980s amid a partial liberalisation of the political climate. New unions represented food, allied industries, mining and wider workers’ interests, while strikes increased sharply in 1987. Authorities nevertheless raided union offices, detained leaders under the Terrorism Act and supported rival organisations. The Wiehahn Commission later recommended recognition of trade unions and modernisation of labour law, with many recommendations implemented after independence.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The later 1980s brought a large-scale expansion of trade union activity. The Namibian Food and Allied Union was launched in September 1986, followed in November by the Mineworkers Union of Namibia. John Pandeni and Ben Uulenga, both former Robben Island prisoners, headed these unions. Between 1987 and 1990 five more unions appeared, alongside the National Union of Namibian Workers led by Barnabas Tjizu.
Labour militancy rose sharply: twenty-four strikes took place across Namibia in 1987, compared with three reported strikes during 1980–85. Although the Interim Government created a somewhat more liberal political climate, authorities continued to restrict labour organisation. The workers’ compound in Katutura was closed, May Day was made a public holiday, and union offices were raided while leaders were detained under the Terrorism Act.
The government also encouraged and funded rival organisations in an effort to undermine the unions and other community groups. At the same time, the Wiehahn Commission was appointed in late 1987 to address worker unrest without violence. It advocated recognition of trade unions and the liberalisation and modernisation of union and employment law. Its final report appeared in December 1989, and many of its recommendations were implemented after independence.
XXᵉ siècle – XXᵉ siècle
Namibia
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Namibian trade union movement expanded rapidly in the later 1980s amid a partial liberalisation of the political climate. New unions represented food, allied industries, mining and wider workers’ interests, while strikes increased sharply in 1987. Authorities nevertheless raided union offices, detained leaders under the Terrorism Act and supported rival organisations. The Wiehahn Commission later recommended recognition of trade unions and modernisation of labour law, with many recommendations implemented after independence.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The later 1980s brought a large-scale expansion of trade union activity. The Namibian Food and Allied Union was launched in September 1986, followed in November by the Mineworkers Union of Namibia. John Pandeni and Ben Uulenga, both former Robben Island prisoners, headed these unions. Between 1987 and 1990 five more unions appeared, alongside the National Union of Namibian Workers led by Barnabas Tjizu.
Labour militancy rose sharply: twenty-four strikes took place across Namibia in 1987, compared with three reported strikes during 1980–85. Although the Interim Government created a somewhat more liberal political climate, authorities continued to restrict labour organisation. The workers’ compound in Katutura was closed, May Day was made a public holiday, and union offices were raided while leaders were detained under the Terrorism Act.
The government also encouraged and funded rival organisations in an effort to undermine the unions and other community groups. At the same time, the Wiehahn Commission was appointed in late 1987 to address worker unrest without violence. It advocated recognition of trade unions and the liberalisation and modernisation of union and employment law. Its final report appeared in December 1989, and many of its recommendations were implemented after independence.
Continuer le voyage
D’autres chemins liés à cette histoire.