Title of paper

3. Labour conditions

During the first years of operation, Rössing worked on the basis of the migrant labour system then in practice in the country. The International Commission of Jurists has referred to the migrant labour system as similar to slavery and declared it as unlawful. Even a representative of the South African government agreed before the International Court of Justice at The Hague, that restrictions on the African workers barred them from acquiring any suitable skills (Duggal, 1987: 26).
Under the rule of South Africa’s government, apartheid laws forced Namibian blacks to live in assigned tribal areas and required passes for movement within the country. A contract labor law system was imposed on black people. In order to get employment black workers were assigned contracts in mines and other places around the country for a year at a time. Workers had to leave their family behind to live at the workplace for that period. Employers compensated workers by ranked classes, rather than the type of work. Labourers could not break the contract, but employers could break it at any time (Global Nonviolent Action Database, 1971-72). This system entailed a remarkable difference between the wages paid to blacks and whites. Black workers could not compete for better paid positions.
In 1978, when it seemed imminent that South African rule over Namibia would soon come to an end (which happened in 1989), Rössing decided to do away with the migratory labor force hoping that better working and living conditions would enhance productivity and would avoid further strikes. According to Rössing’s Fact Book of 1989, the company obeyed the internationally recognised Paterson Scale, which grades all employees alike regardless of race, colour, sex, or any other considerations. Jobs are graded on the Paterson Scale ranging from grades 1 to 13, grades 1 to 3 being unskilled levels, 4 to 8 semi-skilled and 9 and above skilled levels. Under the migrant labour system, grades consisted of eight categories for blacks, ranging from R 136 in the lowest category to R 557 in the highest. White labourers were classified in 12 categories starting at R 300 and ranging to R 1,400 in category 11. Wages in category 12 were not disclosed (Renkhoff, 2013: 14). However, the black workers did not feel a difference in working conditions. In some cases black workers were put in leading positions only to show the world the ‘change of mind’ while in fact white ‘assistants’ were running the show.

3.1 Mine Workers Union of Namibia

The unbearable working conditions and the determination of workers fighting the miners’ exploitation started the formation of a union for workers of the mining and energy sectors. In November 1986, the Mine Workers Union of Namibia was launched at the Catholic Church of Katutura. The union is commonly known as MUN, playing a vital role in the economic and political struggle of Namibian workers.³⁵ MUN is one of the most powerful trade unions in Namibia. It plays a vital role in the Namibian political space and is an ally of the ruling SWAPO government.³⁶
Eino Ntinda, one of the founding fathers of the union recalls: “We were called upon by history to shape the destiny of the poor mine workers in this country, who had been exploited for many years by foreign companies whose prime motives were to reap huge profits by exploiting our country’s natural resources, using our people’s cheap labour.” Facing up the challenge, Ben Ulenga, also a founding member and elected MUN’s first general secretary told at the launching meeting: “We have to do something. We must have a focused mission, and our slogan must be: A people united shall never be defeated.” Ben Ulenga is also the founder of the opposition party Congress for Democrats (COD) which was launched in March 2009. Asser Kuveri Kapere, a member of SWAPO, was the first president of the MUN and served in this position from 1987 to 1991.
MUN was started during a difficult time in which the racial and apartheid laws of South Africa were designed to exploit workers – not to protect them. The contract labour system was posing a lot of problems for workers. Racial discrimination, meagre salaries and the unbearable compound accommodation offered to workers all made it necessary for workers to unite and speak with one voice against these malpractices.
One of the earliest resolutions of the union was to declare the migrant labour system as an evil system, which constitutes a crime against humanity and a gross violation of human rights. This system has destroyed family life, relationships and workers’ lives. The union

therefore resolved to fight for the abolition of the migrant labour and compound system on the mines.

4. Living conditions

In early days of production, the black workers lived in so-called single quarters on the mine premises and were exposed to dust and radiation 24 hours a day.
In 1978, Rössing began building houses for the workers. Arandis was born, about 15 km outside the mine. Rössing’s objective was to offer every employee the chance to live with his family in one of the comfortable houses provided by the mine. At the end of 1988, the mine had provided houses and flats for 1,588 families and single quarters for 368 workers.
Rössing still has three housing areas – Arandis, Tamariskia and Vineta – in which homes are allocated according to the grade of employees. Arandis was built to accommodate less skilled workers. Tamariskia and Vineta are suburbs of Swakopmund and are home to Rössing’s employees in higher semi-skilled, skilled, professional and managerial grades. Houses in Arandis are of high standard with solar hot water systems, electricity, and waterborne sewage (Rössing, 1989: 26).
Arandis was once a lively little village with a bank, a supermarket, a restaurant, and a hospital. The mine workers did not have to pay for housing, water and electricity and had free access to a social centre and sport facilities. In 1992, Rössing handed over Arandis to the government of Namibia. In 1994, Arandis was proclaimed a town and the town council of Arandis was now responsible for the management of the town.
Muhura is quoted: “I faced many challenges in Arandis the moment I stepped in as mayor. We have 36% unemployment. I was also faced with a huge water loss of nearly 60%, due to the fact that Arandis was built to last only for 20 years, and many of the water pipes had started collapsing a few years ago (Rössing, 2005: 16).”