OTJIWARONGO: Agribank employees here continued their strike for a second day on Tuesday, demanding a 12 per cent salary increase.They were seen camping under trees next to the bank, whilst some employees sat on the steps in front of the main door of the bank. Only Wylie Upi, Agribank’s Otjiwarongo Branch Manager, was inside the office, answering telephone calls as well as assisting clients who came to the office.

The strike at Agribank started on Monday morning at its six branches countrywide, following failed conciliation meetings with the Office of the Labour Commissioner in Windhoek on salary negotiations over the past few months.The workers have vowed to down tools until their demands are met.
They are also demanding for an investigation into the appointment of Agribank’s Legal Advisor Erenstine Kalomo.

They are, through the Namibia Financial Institutions’ Union (NAFINU), demanding that Agribank’s management be disciplined for its “careless and selfish actions”.Approached for comment, Upi refused to reply to Nampa’s questions, and referred this reporter to the bank’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Windhoek, Leonard Iipumbu.

Otjiwarongo Agribank shops teward, Maureen Kamerika, is leading the Otjiwarongo strike.
She emphasised that the workers will strike until their demands are met.The Otjiwarongo branch has 11 staff members serving farmers in the Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Kunene Regions.