THE Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRI) says a decision by Meatco to suspend an employee for being critical of trade negotiations with the European Union was "draconian" and a direct assault on freedom of expression.

Wallie Roux, a researcher at Meatco, was suspended because of several articles on trade issues published in the Namibian media.

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In the articles, Roux said Namibia needed to be cautious about the pace at which the EU wanted negotiations concluded.