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
Mineworkers Union of Namibia general secretary George Ampweya said policy certainty and transparency are fundamental for workers and investors
“Mineworkers Union of Namibia general secretary George Ampweya says policy certainty and transparency are fundamental for the workers and investors.”
Policy uncertainty deters investments in miningInformanté
George Ampweya said agreement outcome reflects workers' resilience and unity
“George Ampweya, Secretary General of MUN, said that this outcome reflects the resilience, unity, and disciplined resolve of workers who stood firm in defence of their legitimate demands.”
NORED and Mineworkers Union reach agreement ending strikeInformanté
George Ampweya said dispute was avoidable due to governance inefficiencies
“At the same time, we must place on record that this dispute was avoidable.”
NORED and Mineworkers Union reach agreement ending strikeThe Namibian
George Ampweya announced the workers' resolve in defending their legitimate demands
“"This resolve of workers who stood forum in defence of their legitimate demands," MUN general secretary George Ampweya announced.”
Nored strike endsThe Namibian
George Ampweya said current shift roster negatively affects workers' personal lives
“"There are some issues we need to iron out. The current shift roster negatively affects personal lives," MUN general secretary George Ampweya said.”
Beifang fires 11 employees over shift roster clash at Husab MineThe Namibian
MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the sector's benefits are not equally shared with workers who drive it
“Speaking at the recent national public dialogue on the promotion of decent work within the Namibian miningsector, MUN general secretary George Ampweya said although the sector is one of the largest, its benefits are not equally shared with the workers who drive it.”
Miners not benefiting from industry’s billionsThe Namibian
George Ampweya said mining benefits are not equally shared with workers
“Ampweya said mining benefits are not equally shared with workers.”
Mineworkers union calls for urgent reforms in mining sectorThe Namibian
George Ampweya said a just transition in mechanisation must be negotiated, planned, and funded
“Ampweya said a just transition in the face of mechanisation must be negotiated, planned, and funded.”
Mineworkers union calls for urgent reforms in mining sectorNew Era
Council member George Ampweya pointed to wage discrepancies, long working hours, health and safety hazards
“Chief among the concerns, council member George Ampweya pointed to wage discrepancies, long working hours as well as health and safety hazards.”
Employers, fishermen clash at WalvisNew Era
MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the situation is unfair to workers
“MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the situation is unfair to workers.”
NORED workers go six years without pay increaseEmployees 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 →