Also known as: Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel · justice minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel · labour minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel · Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel · Honourable Fillemon Wise Immanuel
Justice and Labour Relations Minister pursuing employment dispute resolution, cultural protection, and workplace policy reforms including internship allowances and maternity benefits.
News reports
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New Era
Fillemon Wise Immanuel said the law would streamline divorce process, protect children, and provide clear property division rules
“Motivating the law late last year, Immanuel said it would streamline the divorce process, protect children, and provide clear rules for the division of property and maintenance.”
Divorce law places children at centreNew Era
Immanuel told Parliament that many people found the previous divorce system challenging to navigate
“"Many people found it challenging to navigate the system, especially when faced with emotional and financial hardships," Immanuel told the Parliament.”
Divorce law places children at centreJustice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel said his ministry is pursuing a lasting resolution to an employment dispute involving nearly 2,000 workers placed at RANI Group Company but employed by Employment Placement Services Namibia (EPSN), with constructive engagements ongoing between the ministry, EPSN, RANI and affected workers.
13 October 2026 · New Era →
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel said his ministry is pursuing a lasting resolution to an employment dispute involving nearly 2,000 workers placed at RANI Group Company but employed by Employment Placement Services Namibia (EPSN), with constructive engagements ongoing between the ministry, EPSN, RANI and affected workers.
13 October 2026 · New Era →
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has proposed increasing the monthly graduate internship allowance from N$2,357.10 to N$3,700 and extending the internship period from three to six months to improve accessibility and workplace exposure for young graduates.
1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations is undertaking a business re-engineering process at the Master's Office to identify bottlenecks and improve turnaround time for finalising deceased estates, following parliamentary concerns about growing backlogs and delays in the process.
30 September 2026 · Informanté →
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel warned that Namibia risks losing parts of its cultural identity if communities fail to protect indigenous languages, traditions and knowledge, and urged students and institutions to explore turning heritage into economic opportunities rather than merely preserving it.
24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel told the Windhoek Observer that introducing statutory paternity leave in Namibia could see some fathers spending an entire year away from work if they have children with multiple partners, potentially affecting labour force productivity. Namibia currently has no law providing statutory paternity leave, though employers may offer it through workplace policies.
23 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Minister of Justice and Labour Relations announced that maternity leave fund benefits will increase from N$15,000 to N$20,000, effective 1 October.
22 September 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told the first State of Justice Conference in Windhoek that the justice sector must translate discussions into action that improves ordinary Namibians' access to timely legal services, particularly at grassroots level where resources and barriers are limited.
17 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a keynote address at the opening of the First State of Justice Summit, calling for an efficient, accessible and trusted justice sector.
16 September 2026 · The Namibian →
A WhatsApp message circulating on social media falsely claimed the High Court had ruled in favour of same-sex marriage in Namibia. The office of the judiciary and the ministry of justice and labour relations have clarified that same-sex marriage remains illegal in Namibia.
16 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Justice Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel clarified that same-sex marriage is not currently legal in Namibia, following National Assembly comments suggesting a court ruling had legalized it. He explained that a May 2023 Supreme Court judgment concerned recognition of same-sex marriages concluded outside Namibia for immigration purposes only, and that the Marriage Act No. 14 of 2024 defines marriage as a union between persons of opposite sex, though it has not yet been operationalized.
15 September 2026 · Informanté →
The National Assembly failed to reach the required 49-vote quorum to decide on Gerson Sindano's nomination as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson, with only 45 MPs supporting the motion on Tuesday. Opposition MPs walked out of the chamber in protest, with disagreement over whether this constitutes a genuine absence of quorum or a deliberate obstruction of the voting process.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Chief Justice has convened stakeholders to consider security assessment findings covering more than 400 judicial officers and prosecutors, with the assessment to be submitted to Cabinet and the Office of the Prime Minister. The move addresses risks of intimidation and violence faced by those administering and prosecuting the law, prompted partly by the death of regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda in October 2025.
17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Chief Justice Peter Shivute convened a meeting to review a security assessment for over 400 prosecutors and judicial officers, following concerns heightened by the death of regional prosecutor Justine Shiweda. The report is expected to be submitted to Cabinet and the Office of the Prime Minister in the coming weeks for consideration and possible implementation.
17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has blocked the reappointment of Labour Advisory Council members who served for up to 12 years, citing the need to inject fresh blood and promote fairness, diversity, and broader representation. The council, which advises the minister on labour matters, had some organizations resubmit only their preferred representatives rather than providing candidate lists as requested.
12 August 2026 · New Era →
Justice Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel told an African Union technical committee that sustained continental financing, effective partnerships and enhanced coordination are needed to implement AU social protection strategies. Ministers from AU member states agreed to accelerate comprehensive social protection systems reaching informal workers, rural communities, and vulnerable groups, and endorsed measures to expand social protection and strengthen migrant worker rights.
10 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Magistrates' and Judges' Association of Namibia has filed a High Court review application arguing that the Constitution requires judicial independence, but government control over magistrates' employment benefits and terms of service undermines this principle. The association seeks a declaration that certain provisions of the Magistrates Act 3 of 2003 are invalid, particularly those giving the executive power over magistrate transfers, discipline, removal, remuneration, and conditions of service.
6 August 2026 · New Era →
Sources tell the Windhoek Observer that cleaners at the Social Security Commission earn approximately N$18,000 monthly, more than teachers on a cost-to-company basis, revealing a skewed remuneration structure as new leadership prepares salary reforms.
4 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Justice minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel said Namibia's judiciary has benefited significantly from strategic partnerships with peer jurisdictions while also contributing to them.
23 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has called for workers' voices to be reflected in national policy and economic planning, stating that Namibia must move beyond exporting raw minerals to beneficiation and value addition to create sustainable employment. Speaking at a Mineworkers Union of Namibia regional meeting in Swakopmund, Immanuel said the country can no longer export raw minerals while importing finished products at higher value.
22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Fillemon Wise Immanuel led a delegation to meet Beifang Mining management in Swakopmund, following an earlier session with employees. Discussions covered labour law compliance, conditions of employment, workplace relations, and grievance resolution mechanisms under the Labour Act.
20 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The International Labour Organization adopted a landmark Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy at its 114th conference in Geneva, establishing the first binding international treaty to protect digital platform workers with fair wages and social protection. Namibia coordinated the unified African position on behalf of half of Africa's nations and signed a Host Country Agreement to host the 15th African Regional Meeting of the ILO in Windhoek in December 2026.
16 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Justice Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel told the International Labour Conference in Geneva that artificial intelligence can support decent work without job losses if governments prioritize retraining over retrenchment. He cited Namibia's Social Security Commission, which introduced digital tools affecting 65 positions but retrained rather than laid off workers.
9 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's Dissolution of Marriages Act 2024 took effect on 3 June 2026, replacing fault-based divorce grounds (adultery, cruelty, desertion) with a single ground of "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage." The reform also empowers Magistrate Courts to grant divorces for the first time, and seeks to reduce hostility and simplify procedures.
3 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A Windhoek resident submitted a 161-page dossier to the Security Commission in April 2025 requesting President Nandi-Ndaitwah remove inspector general Joseph Shikongo from office, alleging corruption, criminal interference, intimidation and abuse of state institutions. Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed major general Anne-Marie Nainda as acting inspector general, though the president did not publicly state reasons for the suspension.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged Namibian workers to take initiative in improving their skills through available learning opportunities, including online courses, and stressed that capacity building has no age limit. She said the 2026 International Workers' Day theme on continuous in-service training highlights the need for a skill-driven workforce to ensure productivity and economic growth, and called for cooperation between workers and employers.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched the Namibia Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme Legal Hub, a website providing public access to statutory and legal instruments relating to natural resource management. The hub was funded by the French Government through the French Development Agency, with co-funding from the German Government through GIZ.
3 May 2026 · Informanté →
The government has allocated N$512 million to the Office of the Judiciary for the 2026/2027 financial year, with N$497 million for operations and N$15 million for development projects including construction of magistrates' courts in Nkurenkuru and Katima Mulilo. The allocation reflects the government's commitment to strengthening the justice system and expanding court capacity in underserved areas.
8 April 2026 · New Era →
Swapo parliamentarian Hilma Iita has tabled a motion proposing 75% partial legal aid for middle-income earners, arguing the current N$7,000 monthly income threshold leaves workers unable to afford private lawyers while earning too much to qualify for free aid. Justice minister Yvonne Dausab had previously indicated plans to raise the threshold to N$10,000 and consider case complexity, but Iita stressed the law remains unchanged and is outdated given current living costs.
7 April 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian government is working to reintegrate 222 workers recently terminated from Walu Fishing through the Government Employment Redress Programme, placing them with four fishing companies under new employment agreements aligned with revised fishing quota allocations.
16 March 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) and Namib Mills have concluded a wage deal ending a strike involving close to 1,000 workers. Under the agreement, workers will receive back pay and bonuses this week, with improved benefits automatically implemented from 1 July 2026 without further negotiation.
13 March 2026 · New Era →