Also known as: general secretary George Ampweya · Phillipus George Ampweya
Union secretary general and spokesperson for the Mineworkers Union of Namibia advocating for worker protections and labour reforms.
News reports
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The Namibian
George Ampweya said the union would assess the situation before commenting further
“On Wednesday, Mineworkers Union of Namibia secretary general George Ampweya, whose union represents the employees, said it would assess the situation before commenting further.”
Finestar workers revolt against meat banThe Namibian
Union secretary general George Ampweya warned that cost saving mechanisms could harm workers' salaries and job security
“Union secretary general George Ampweya warned that the cost saving mechanisms could come at the expense of workers' salaries, job security, social protection and the economy.”
Mining firms outsource to cut costs, boost profits – unionistThe Namibian
Mineworkers Union of Namibia secretary general George Ampweya said the union supports implementation of paternity leave as a social issue
“Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) secretary general George Ampweya yesterday said the union supports the implementation of paternity leave, describing it as a social issue.”
Unions demand paternity leave for Namibian fathersWindhoek Observer
George Ampweya said the union would not speculate on the cause of death but stressed the incident requires serious attention
“Ampweya said the union would not speculate on the cause of death but stressed that the incident requires serious attention.”
MUN demands probe into Uis mine deathThe Namibian
George Ampweya called on parliamentary standing committees to involve recognised unions during oversight visits
“Ampweya called on parliamentary standing committees to involve recognised unions during oversight visits in sectors where they operate.”
Unions demand role in parliamentary labour visitsWindhoek Observer
George Ampweya warned MUN members against making hasty decisions based on RU award claims
“Ampweya warned MUN members against making what he described as hasty decisions based on claims that the RU award automatically changes MUN's position at Rössing and Husab.”
MUN warns members against resigning amid RU reinstatementThe Namibian
George Ampweya emphasises that the absence of affirmative action reports are to the disadvantage of workers
“Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) secretary general George Ampweya emphasises that the absence of affirmative action reports are to the disadvantage of the workers.”
Equity body in violation of own rulesThe Namibian
General secretary George Ampweya said the union's role includes advancing workers' long-term economic interests
“General secretary George Ampweya said the union's role includes advancing workers' long-term economic interests.”
Mineworkers’ union investment arm hits N$900mThe Namibian
George Ampweya said tensions intensified after a meeting on 14 June 2024 where farm owner presented new rules
“Community representative George Ampweya last week said tensions intensified after a meeting on 14 June 2024, during which the farm owner presented an agreement outlining new rules and regulations governing residents of the farm.”
Otjozondjupa community unhappy about ancestral land disputeThe Namibian
George Ampweya claimed farm owner locked main access gate and imposed strict movement restrictions
“In recent months, the situation has deteriorated further. The farm owner has locked the main access gate and imposed strict movement restrictions, leaving elderly residents and families struggling to move freely," Ampweya claimed.”
Otjozondjupa community unhappy about ancestral land disputeEmployees of Finestar Jewellery & Diamonds Namibia, an Indian-owned diamond manufacturing company in Windhoek, say they have not been allowed to eat meat at work for five years under a company vegetarian culture. Workers protested over stagnant food allowances and demanded better wages, food and transport allowances, and improved working conditions.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Employees of Finestar Jewellery & Diamonds Namibia, an Indian-owned diamond manufacturing company in Windhoek, say they have not been allowed to eat meat at work for five years under a company vegetarian culture. Workers protested over stagnant food allowances and demanded better wages, food and transport allowances, and improved working conditions.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's mining sector is increasingly using contractors and temporary workers instead of permanent employees to lower labour and operational costs, according to the Mineworkers Union of Namibia. Union secretary general George Ampweya warned that the practice has eroded decent work conditions, reduced wages and job security for outsourced workers, and called for regulation of outsourcing and equal pay for work of equal value.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Workers' unions are demanding that the government introduce paternity leave to allow both parents to care for newborn babies. The justice and labour relations minister announced increases in maternity and other SSC benefits effective 1 October, but said Namibia currently has no statutory paternity leave provision, though employers may introduce it at their discretion.
23 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the death of Filemon Mwashindange, its Uis Branch chairperson, who collapsed while on duty at Uis Tin Mine on Monday. The union is demanding meaningful involvement in the investigation and wants workers who witnessed the incident protected from intimidation.
15 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Trade unions are demanding a greater role in parliamentary workplace oversight visits, saying their involvement is crucial to address widespread labour law violations. Mineworkers Union general secretary George Ampweya said unions have welcomed parliament's efforts but questioned their exclusion, arguing parliament should focus on legislation while unions represent workers and address workplace disputes.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia said a labour arbitration award in favour of the Revolutionary Union does not automatically affect MUN's recognition or bargaining rights at Rössing Uranium and Husab Mine. MUN general secretary George Ampweya stated the union remains the majority union at both operations and its status as recognised bargaining agent remains intact unless lawfully altered through statutory and contractual processes.
14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's Mineworkers' Union of Namibia channels members' dues through Namibia Miners Investment Trust (Namit) and Nam-Mic Holdings, which have grown into a N$900-million portfolio with stakes in banks, mines, hotels and other sectors. Members and their representatives say they have seen little benefit from their decades of contributions and allege lack of transparency and financial irregularities.
21 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Employment Equity Commission has not published its annual reports since 2019, violating legal requirements. The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations attributes this to budget constraints, staffing shortages, and software failures, but unions say the failure reflects incompetence and undermines monitoring of employment discrimination.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia says assets held through Namitvest and Nammic investment structures have grown to more than N$900 million, funded through monthly payroll deductions from participating members. The union outlined its investment activities and recent interventions to protect jobs in the mining sector.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia met with mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse to voice concerns about sector-wide retrenchments and precarious employment conditions in the diamond cutting and polishing industry, calling for urgent policy reforms including the pending Diamond Bill and institutionalised tripartite engagement.
30 March 2026 · New Era →
Residents and descendants of farm workers at Okamuru/Omingondo in Omatako constituency are facing worsening living conditions and restrictions from the current farm owner, including locked gates, movement restrictions, and cut water access. The community, citing multi-generational occupation and ancestral graves on the land, is calling on the government to purchase the farm for resettlement after the farm owner rejected proposed dialogue.
24 March 2026 · The Namibian →
According to the Fraser Institute's 2025 survey, Namibia's mining investment attractiveness index fell from 66 to 56, dropping its global ranking from 30th to 51st place. Industry leaders and analysts attribute the decline to uncertainty over local ownership requirements, delays in policy implementation, and concerns about new regulatory frameworks.
23 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Mine Workers Union of Namibia met with the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations to discuss looming retrenchments in the diamond cutting and polishing sector, including 35 workers facing job losses at Almond Diamonds after the company's quota was terminated by the Namibia Diamond Trading Company. The Union called for policy reforms, stronger worker protections, and tripartite engagement in mining sector governance.
19 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia has confirmed a final agreement with NORED ending the recent strike, which provides for payment of a 14th cheque and salary increases of 4% for 2025/2026 and 4.3% for 2026/2027. Union Secretary General George Ampweya said the outcome reflects workers' resilience while noting the dispute was avoidable and criticised governance inefficiencies, pledging the union's commitment to constructive engagement and service restoration.
4 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) and its employees, represented by the Mineworkers' Union of Namibia, have reached an agreement ending a five-day strike. The deal includes a 14th cheque for 2024/25, a 4% salary increment for 2025/26, and a 4.3% increase for 2026/27.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Workers at the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor, represented by the Mine Workers Union of Namibia, began a strike on 26 February 2026 demanding a 14th cheque payment and 6% wage increase, citing management's reluctance to engage constructively. The union criticized NORED's response of threatening dismissals and legal action, and called for the removal of the board.
27 February 2026 · Informanté →
Beifang Mining Services dismissed 11 employees at Husab Uranium Mine following weeks of dispute over a new shift schedule that complied with labour ministry guidance but reduced days off from five to four. The workers' union and company have begun discussions on resolving the conflict, with Beifang indicating willingness to seek a fresh exemption application backed by union support.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Mineworkers' Union of Namibia says mineworkers are not adequately benefiting from the mining sector despite its size, citing systematic erosion of job security through subcontracting, poor living conditions, and inadequate enforcement of labour plans. The union is advocating for a four-pillar framework focused on employment, rights, protection, and dialogue to ensure workers benefit from industry revenues.
19 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia called for urgent reforms in mining labour practices, saying workers lack job security due to subcontracting and mechanisation without a human plan. The union demanded laws to protect permanent work, union access to all mine workers, and binding social and labour plans.
17 February 2026 · The Namibian →
A consultative meeting between fishing industry employers and workers in Walvis Bay grew tense when unrecognized unions complained their grievances were not heard. The Labour Advisory Council, tasked by the labour minister to probe alleged exploitation, heard complaints of wage discrepancies, excessive working hours without overtime, unauthorized salary deductions, and unequal pay—though employers disputed several allegations, citing contracts and the seasonal nature of the sector.
26 January 2026 · New Era →
Employees of the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor have gone six years without a pay increase despite union negotiations, prompting the Mineworkers Union of Namibia to refer the dispute to the labour commissioner. The union has issued formal strike notice, with protected industrial action scheduled to commence on 23 January 2026.
22 January 2026 · New Era →
Northern Regional Electricity Distributor workers will strike on Friday after a year of failed wage negotiations, with the Mineworkers Union of Namibia seeking pay increases and improved working conditions. The union says workers have not received pay raises in six years and that strike procedures were lawfully initiated, despite management's legal challenges.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →