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Unionist champions workers’ rights 

Unionist champions workers’ rights 

Swapo backbencher Justina Jonas- Emvula, on Wednesday, delivered her maiden speech expressing gratitude to the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Swapo, and the Namibian people for the opportunity given to her to serve in the 8th Namibian Parliament. 

Drawing from her own experiences in public service and entrepreneurship, including working as a security guard, vendor, and hairdresser, Jonas- Emvula highlighted the influence of leaders who fought for workers’ rights. Reflecting on her diverse background, Jonas-Emvula said: “I come from a humble background of public service and entrepreneurship. I worked as a security guard, a kapana vendor, and a hairdresser, eking out a living before joining the labour movement in 2003.” 

She credited leaders like the late Peter Ilonga and others for inspiring her commitment to fighting for justice and dignity for Namibian workers. 

In her statement, she emphasised Swapo’s historical role in the fight for social justice, workers’ rights, and Namibia’s independence, acknowledging the pivotal contributions of the Founding President Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma and the NUNW. 

Supporting the budget she commended the Minister of Finance and Social Grants Management, Erica Shafudah, for the 2025/2026 National Budget, noting its alignment with the Swapo manifesto and its focus on the needs of the Namibian people. 

Jonas-Emvula stated: “Let me congratulate Shafudah and her entire team for crafting the 2025/2026 National Budget.” 

She highlighted its alignment with the aspirations of the Namibian people and President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s reminder that “we are too few to be poor.” The unionist said this budget aligns with the social contract between Swapo and the people of Namibia, as articulated in the 2025 Swapo manifesto, and described it as a people-centered, mass-based budget that touches every corner of society. It is labour-sensitive, gender-sensitive, and youth-focused.” Jonas-Emvula emphasised the importance of tangible transformation: “Through this budget, our people must be able to see, feel, and experience real and tangible transformation in their daily lives.” She contrasted the current protection of workers’ rights with the historical denial of these rights under colonial rule: “Today, thanks to the Swapo-led government, Namibian workers enjoy legal protection that continues to evolve in pursuit of fairness and equity.” 

Acknowledging Namibia’s challenges, Jonas Emvula pointed out that Namibia’s population has now surpassed three million people, and with that growth comes increased demand for infrastructure, jobs and services. 

“A key focus of the budget is job creation, with a bold target of creating 500 000 jobs over the next five years. The budget also prioritises quality education and healthcare, equitable access to land, housing, and sanitation, poverty eradication, and the strengthening of laws and institutions to improve service delivery,” she commended. 

The parliamentarian outlined steps to strengthen the labour environment, including the need to finalise and modernize key legislation such as the Labour Act, the Social Security Act, and the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act, to ensure alignment with the country’s Constitution and international standards. 

She also stressed the importance of respecting lawful strikes and ensuring that workers do not lose income when exercising their constitutional right to strike, as well as strengthening the enforcement of the Affirmative Action Act to correct disparities and underrepresentation. 

“The implementation of the national minimum wage on 1 January 2025, was highlighted as a milestone aimed at improving the basic standard of living, reducing income inequality, and stimulating economic growth,” she said. 

Jonas-Emvula noted that supporting the budget would empower labour agencies to enforce the national minimum wage across vulnerable sectors such as charcoal production, retail and wholesale, logistics and security services, and domestic work, including workers in the informal economy,” to protect workers from exploitation and ensure dignity. 

“This budget is a continuation of Swapo’s legacy of liberation through development. It speaks to our commitment to the Namibian workers, the Namibian child, and the Namibian future,” she said. 

She called for unity and support for the budget to lay the foundation for shared prosperity, inclusive growth, and social justice for all.