Windhoek: The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU) has announced that it successfully recovered about N.dollars 970 000 for employees through workplace dispute resolutions across various industries in 2025. The union's membership grew to over 6 000 members during the year.

According to Namibia Press Agency, a statement was delivered by NARETU Commander-in-Chief, Petersen Kambinda, on Thursday during an end-of-year press conference in Windhoek. The funds were secured for members through cases referred to the Office of the Labour Commissioner. "During 2025, the union successfully recovered a combined total of N.dollars 970 000 for workers arising from workplace disputes across the transport, logistics, manufacturing and services sectors," Kambinda said.

He elaborated that these awards resulted from conciliation and arbitration processes dealing primarily with unfair dismissals, unpaid wages, unlawful labour practices, and related statutory claims. Kambinda noted that the total recovered amount is expected to rise to approximately N.dollars 1.4 million following the anticipated auction of two vehicles by the Sheriff of the Court, which NARETU had successfully attached to claim money owed to its members.

He emphasized that despite numerous pending matters, the total value awarded to members highlights the importance of union representation, particularly for employees who lack the financial resources or legal expertise to enforce their rights independently. Kambinda further commented that the growing number of unresolved cases at the Labour Commissioner's office indicates an increasing strain on dispute-resolution structures nationwide.

He claimed, "Some employers have, through clandestine activities and collusion, allegedly compromised certain arbitrators at the Office of the Labour Commissioner to act under improper influence instead of being fair, impartial and objective." Kambinda concluded by reaffirming NARETU's commitment to its founding principles: "to defend workers, confront exploitation, and advance social and economic justice."