RUNDU – President Nangolo Mbumba has reassured workers that the government has their best interests at heart, and will continue pursuing progressive policies. Mbumba made these remarks in a statement read on his behalf by Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa at the commemoration of Workers’ Day held at Rundu yesterday.
“In this regard, we are cognisant of the rationale for a national minimum wage to benefit low-paid workers, particularly the unorganised,’’ he said.
To this effect, the government has taken deliberate steps to safeguard workers’s rights and promote workers welfare across all sectors by enacting robust laws and policies, he said.
Mbumba then urged employers and employees to respect the laws of the land governing employer and employee relations. “Our labour inspectors must diligently enforce the Labour Act in all sectors and across all industries without fear or favour.
We have made many strides so far, and the developmental journey we have walked is praiseworthy,’’ he said.
Mbumba continued: “However, Namibia is still confronted by the challenges of low economic growth and high inflation, affecting workers’ livelihoods and job security. High unemployment, which is disproportionately affecting youth, is another focus area. These are issues that enjoy our attention as a government.”
Namibia joined the United Nations Global Accelerator of Jobs and Social Protection programme to, among other things, address youth unemployment and enhance social protection through impactful ograms. “These include initiatives such as the establishment of the Social Security National Pension Fund and the National Unemployment Fund, and amendments to the Labour Act of 2007, the Employee Compensation Act, the Affirmative Action Act, and the introduction of the Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Bill,” Mbumba said.
Also in attendance was labour minister Utoni Nujoma. On the day, he highlighted that his ministry has made progress in the effort to strengthen social justice around labour and employment, noting that amendments to the Labour Act are set for completion this month.
“Although the amendment process has taken longer than expected, I am confident that the social partners have been given full opportunity to make their input into the amendments,’’ Nujoma said. Among other provisions, the amendments will enshrine the right to occupational safety
and health, and the right to freedom from violence and harassment at work as
fundamental rights and freedoms protected by law. Meanwhile, major amendments to administrative procedures will also be introduced to revamp the system to ensure speedier and more cost-effective proceedings as far as dispute resolutions are concerned.
“The proposed national minimum wage will be submitted to Cabinet next week, and it is intended that Namibia’s first national minimum wage will come into effect later this year,’’ he said. “Other labour and employment bills that will be introduced this year are the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, the Compensation for Work-related Accidents and Diseases Bill, and amendments to the Employment Services Act, the Affirmative Action Act, and the Social Security Act’’.
The labour minister noted that the Social Security Commission has commenced a plan to operationalise the National Pension Fund, which is designed to protect workers in both the formal and informal sectors.
The fund will contribute to the improved security of all Namibian workers in old age, in accordance with constitutional principles.
Speaking on behalf of the Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu), its secretary general Loide Shaanika said: “As workers, we call for concerted efforts aimed at addressing the demand-side through monetary policies, fiscal policies that aim at increasing government spending, and quantitative easing that addresses the issue of increased monetary supply.’’
She added: “On the supply-side, workers demand increased investment in education, training and development, which includes workforce education and training, as a well-educated workforce is essential for any economy to compete in a global marketplace.”
On the same day, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), an affiliate of the ruling Swapo party, endorsed Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as their preferred presidential candidate ahead of November’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The announcement was made by NUNW’s secretary general, unionist Job Muniaro. NUNW’s affiliates include Nantu, the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union, Namibia Public Workers Union, Mineworkers Union of Namibia, Namibia Transport and Allied Workers’ Union, Namibia Domestic and Allied Workers, Namibia Farmworkers Union, Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union, and the Namibian Financial Institutions Union.
– jmuyamba@nepc.com.na