As part of their commitment to their Purpose, “Creating a future, enhancing life”, Kraatz, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, signed a substantive agreement with the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union (MANWU) in Walvis Bay on 6 June 2023. The substantive agreement will be effective as of 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 and applies to all 47 bargaining unit employees of Kraatz.
The substantive agreement stipulates the bargaining unit employees are to receive a basic salary increase of 6.5% and a transport allowance increase of N$220 to equate to a total of N$520.
At the signing of the agreement, Eugene Louw, Kraatz Managing Director (MD) recognised employees for their role in the strides made by the company and those still to come: “The financial year for 2024 holds the promise of countless new opportunities, and I am confident that as a Kraatz team we will unlock all of them. With this we acknowledge our commitment towards you, our beloved Kraatz employees. I am excited for us to achieve our EBIT target and other goals that are in line with our Group Vision for 2025.”
Tanya de Witt Manager: Human Capital at Kraatz also shared her enthusiasm for the future to be entered into by the Kraatz team: “Kraatz is dedicated to the livelihoods of its biggest asset – our beloved employees and we trust that this agreement shows that. I am excited to embark on yet another year of teamwork and camaraderie.”
Kefas Shangala, Shop Steward Chairperson, also shared his sentiments at the signing: “The bargaining unit employees are happy with the 6.5% and that the wage negotiations went well overall. It was great that all sides were taken into consideration. It was good to also have input from head office [represented by Dudley Fourie, O&L Group Manager: Employee Relations] and that the negotiations were concluded peacefully and in a short period of time.”
