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The union was aware that because of globalisation , any ripple was bound to affect Maltese workers . " If you do not , the consequences are likely to be grave.But if there are those with muscle , they are likely to be sorry , " he said.The standoff is rooted in a dispute over the calculation of nurses ' pay for work done on Sundays and public holidays.Earlier , Health Permanent Secretary Dr Kalumbi Shangula maintained that nurses were still receiving overtime payment but for only part of their shifts on Sundays and public holidays.He said the change was implemented on April 1 2006 but that the overtime system had already been changed in 1998.According to Shangula , nurses had been overpaid for years because of varying interpretations of the Labour Act.Shangula has blamed his management team for not properly explaining the changes to the nurses.Kamwi yesterday once again laid into Nanu.He claimed that the union was misleading nurses and its demands could not be entertained , as it was not a recognised bargaining agent for nurses.The Minister said Government recognised the Namibian Public Workers Union ( Napwu ) as the bargaining agent for nurses , and nurses ' problems should be addressed through Napwu.For their part , many nurses have turned their back on Napwu , which they say has not acted in their best interests or not acted at all.Government ignored the nurses grievances for months and eventually , as frustrations started to boil over , started touting the recognition issue.The Labour Commissioner subsequently told Nanu to declare a dispute with the Office of the Prime Minister over recognition.Nanu followed his advice and is now awaiting a response which , in terms of labour legislation , they should receive by Friday.If Government fails to respond , Nanu can approach the Labour Court.Speaking on national radio yesterday , Shinguadja said the ball was now in Government 's court . Here , practically all masonry , bricklaying , plastering and painting were in Coloured hands , and the unions enforced full rates for them . Exports of marine products to the Union was worth $ 100.71 mn during April-November 1998 as against $ 76.14 mn during the same period in 1997 . The Unions were progressive and played a positive role earlier .