Labour minister Utoni Nujoma said it’s high time trade unions start instilling a notion of productive mindsets in their members. Speaking yesterday at the launch of the annual productivity awareness raising week, the minister urged trade unions to always remind workers that productivity boosts morale and creates an organisational culture of excellence, resulting in an improved workplace environment. 

“As representatives of workers, your responsibility is not only to ensure the protection of the rights of workers, but also to sensitise them on their responsibilities and on the importance of productivity to the economy and the country at large,” said Nujoma. “When an organisation is highly productive and successful, incentives like salary increments, bonuses, pension and medical benefits will be made available to the employees. Hence the need to be productive at all times,” said Nujoma. 

Noting that this year’s theme is ‘Let’s Make Productivity Contagious’, Nujoma said this deliberates on how contagious productivity should become and how all, in various sectors, play a part towards productivity growth, sustainability and innovation. 

Nujoma added that greater productivity benefits all as it leads to better quality of goods and services for customers and ultimately leads to a better quality of life for all citizens.

“We are talking about increasing productivity by investing in essential knowledge, skills and abilities or by better combining inputs or embracing advanced technological innovations,” he stated. 

The labour minister further stated that improving the country’s productivity level is the engine for economic growth and an instrument of inclusivity that enables a country to prosper. This, he said, could help prop up a crippled domestic economy beset by high unemployment, poverty, high inflation, inequality and a spout of high crime rates.