The Namibian Employers Federation (NEF) extended its congratulations to Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on her historic election as Namibia’s first female. 

The federation said this marks a major milestone in Namibia’s commitment to gender equality and progressive governance.

Additionally, the NEF congratulated Fillemon Wise Immanuel on his appointment as minister of the newly-merged Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment Creation and Justice into one entity, namely the Ministry of Justice and Labour. 

The NEF stated that the consolidation of these critical authorities promises enhanced procedural efficiency.

It could potentially quicken the pace of legal and administrative processes that are vital for Namibia’s economic and social progress. 

The federation noted that this allows for a more unified approach to policy making and enforcement, which can be in the interest of both employers and employees. However, the NEF stated that the merger brings with it potential challenges.

“If not carefully monitored, it could lead to policy overlap, where the lines between labour law enforcement and criminal justice can be potentially blurred, possibly leading to jurisdictional confusion and enforcement delays,” NEF president Elia Shikongo said. 

He continued: “we recognise the efficiencies this merger aims to achieve, yet we need to be aware about the potential complexities it introduces, especially in terms of policy overlap and resource allocation. The NEF is fully committed to collaborating with Minister Immanuel and his team to navigate these challenges effectively”.