Labour laws violated willy-nilly, says Nujoma
Union leaders must do their jobs
A large percentage of Namibian workers are low-paid and lack protection for their health and safety, the labour minister said on the occasion of Workers' Day.
Labour minister Utoni Nujoma has expressed concern regarding the rate at which labour laws are broken by employers in the country, increasingly violating the rights of Namibian workers - an issue which calls for urgent intervention.
In his May Day speech, the minister said not all employers view trade unions as a positive force in Namibia’s socio-economic development or as their partners, and not all employers respect the dignity of their employees or subscribe to the goals of decent work.
“A large percentage of Namibian workers are low-paid and lack protection for their health and safety. Unemployment is threatening the future of our youth. The vestiges of discrimination on the basis of race, sex and/or disability, among other grounds, persist in some sectors and some workplaces,” he said.
“Too many workers are subjected to violence and harassment at work, including gender-based violence and sexual harassment. A large complement of Namibian workers is trying to earn a livelihood in the informal sector without legal protection. This situation must be reversed if we are to move forward as a nation.”
You are not saviours
Nujoma encouraged trade unions to rededicate themselves to improving their representation of workers and warned union leaders not to use trade unions as a money-making opportunity or a political stepping-stone.
He pointed out that fragmentation of trade union representation in sectors and unprincipled raiding of established bargaining units will never be in the interest of workers and promotes unwarranted instability.
On the other hand, he has criticised the actions of some political parties and individual aspiring politicians or businessmen who project themselves as the ‘modern-day saviours’ of Namibian workers.
“Even to the point of engaging in guerrilla theatre in order to disrupt business operations when they have never been authorised by workers to represent them. This is the height of arrogance and paternalism toward the workers for whom they purport to speak.
“They are acting in violation of the laws, including criminal laws. These politicians, some of whom are elected officials and lawmakers, should respect Namibian workers and the laws of Namibia. They are by all means free to put forward their views and to engage in social dialogue in the public arena. However, if they wish to take on the role of representing workers in relation to their employers, they must follow the procedures afforded by law -more particularly, they should seek to be recognised as the bargaining agent of a recognised bargaining unit, in accordance with the Labour Act.”
Work to be done
Meanwhile, President Hage Geingob said he believes while the country has made great strides in guaranteeing safe working environments for workers, there is still much more to be done.
He also urged workers to upskill themselves as the country heads towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will require it to align its polices and laws as it embraces automation, robotics and the future of work.
“The Namibian government will always be on the side of workers. The rights of workers in Namibia are a fundamental right guaranteed and protected by the constitution. The constitution states in no uncertain terms that slavery and forced labour are prohibited in Namibia and no persons shall be discriminated against in the workplace.
“All Namibians - irrespective of sex, race, colour, religion and ethnicity - can engage in any employment of their interest.”
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In his May Day speech, the minister said not all employers view trade unions as a positive force in Namibia’s socio-economic development or as their partners, and not all employers respect the dignity of their employees or subscribe to the goals of decent work.
“A large percentage of Namibian workers are low-paid and lack protection for their health and safety. Unemployment is threatening the future of our youth. The vestiges of discrimination on the basis of race, sex and/or disability, among other grounds, persist in some sectors and some workplaces,” he said.
“Too many workers are subjected to violence and harassment at work, including gender-based violence and sexual harassment. A large complement of Namibian workers is trying to earn a livelihood in the informal sector without legal protection. This situation must be reversed if we are to move forward as a nation.”
You are not saviours
Nujoma encouraged trade unions to rededicate themselves to improving their representation of workers and warned union leaders not to use trade unions as a money-making opportunity or a political stepping-stone.
He pointed out that fragmentation of trade union representation in sectors and unprincipled raiding of established bargaining units will never be in the interest of workers and promotes unwarranted instability.
On the other hand, he has criticised the actions of some political parties and individual aspiring politicians or businessmen who project themselves as the ‘modern-day saviours’ of Namibian workers.
“Even to the point of engaging in guerrilla theatre in order to disrupt business operations when they have never been authorised by workers to represent them. This is the height of arrogance and paternalism toward the workers for whom they purport to speak.
“They are acting in violation of the laws, including criminal laws. These politicians, some of whom are elected officials and lawmakers, should respect Namibian workers and the laws of Namibia. They are by all means free to put forward their views and to engage in social dialogue in the public arena. However, if they wish to take on the role of representing workers in relation to their employers, they must follow the procedures afforded by law -more particularly, they should seek to be recognised as the bargaining agent of a recognised bargaining unit, in accordance with the Labour Act.”
Work to be done
Meanwhile, President Hage Geingob said he believes while the country has made great strides in guaranteeing safe working environments for workers, there is still much more to be done.
He also urged workers to upskill themselves as the country heads towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will require it to align its polices and laws as it embraces automation, robotics and the future of work.
“The Namibian government will always be on the side of workers. The rights of workers in Namibia are a fundamental right guaranteed and protected by the constitution. The constitution states in no uncertain terms that slavery and forced labour are prohibited in Namibia and no persons shall be discriminated against in the workplace.
“All Namibians - irrespective of sex, race, colour, religion and ethnicity - can engage in any employment of their interest.”
[email protected]
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