Veteran trade unionist and labour expert who has documented Namibia's workers' movement history and frequently comments on employment policy.
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Namibian Sun
Labour researcher Herbert Jauch argues that high unemployment suppresses wage growth
“Labour researcher Herbert Jauch says so many employed Namibians are struggling to meet monthly expenses – in fact, to meet their very basic needs – because of the low-wage economy.”
One salary, many mouths to feedThe Namibian
Labour expert Herbert Jauch says amount recovered may represent only small part of the problem
“He says the amount recovered may represent only a small part of the problem.”
Retail workers ‘robbed’ of N$1.5m by employersThe Namibian
Labour expert Herbert Jauch says breastfeeding-friendly workplaces promote gender equality and support working mothers
“Labour expert Herbert Jauch says creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces forms part of broader efforts to promote gender equality and support working mothers in balancing their professional responsibilities with motherhood.”
Breastfeeding at work: Ministry urges employers to support mothersThe Namibian
Labour expert Herbert Jauch said findings were unacceptable nearly three decades after law came into force
“Labour expert Herbert Jauch said the findings were unacceptable nearly three decades after the law came into force.”
Companies fail to groom Namibians into leadership rolesThe Namibian
Labour expert Herbert Jauch says high failure rate should lead to urgent review of nursing education
“Labour expert Herbert Jauch says the high failure rate should lead to an urgent review of nursing education, but warns against lowering standards.”
2 600 nursing graduates fail national HPCNA assessmentThe Namibian
Herbert Jauch has launched a new book documenting Namibia's workers' movement history and challenges
“Veteran trade unionist Herbert Jauch has launched a new book documenting the history, triumphs, and modern challenges of Namibia's workers' movement.”
Jauch pens Namibian workers’ strugglesThe Namibian
Jauch was a former founding director of the Labour Resource and Research Institute
“As a former founding director of the Labour Resource and Research Institute, Jauch spent 30 years working with Namibian trade unions and remains active in social and economic justice advocacy.”
Jauch pens Namibian workers’ strugglesThe Namibian
Labour expert Herbert Jauch says the role of trade unions investing in businesses is a conflict of interest
“Labour expert Herbert Jauch, who recently launched a book on Namibia's worker struggles, says the role of trade unions investing in businesses is a conflict of interest.”
Mine workers’ billion-dollar empire on shaky groundThe Namibian
Herbert Jauch says lack of regular reporting may have allowed some employers to neglect employment equity obligations without scrutiny
“He says the lack of regular reporting may have allowed some employers to neglect their employment equity obligations without scrutiny.”
Equity body in violation of own rulesThe Namibian
Herbert Jauch says the amount of money spent is far too big for a disciplinary hearing
“Labour expert Herbert Jauch says the amount of money spent is far too big for a disciplinary hearing.”
RA managers fired at public cost of N$2.6 millionTeachers and low-wage earners in Namibia struggle to make ends meet despite formal employment, as salaries are consumed by rent, loans, and support for dependent relatives. The 2025 Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey reports that 74.6% of adults rarely or never make their income last until payday, while 63% struggle to keep up with financial commitments.
15 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Teachers and low-wage earners in Namibia struggle to make ends meet despite formal employment, as salaries are consumed by rent, loans, and support for dependent relatives. The 2025 Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey reports that 74.6% of adults rarely or never make their income last until payday, while 63% struggle to keep up with financial commitments.
15 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Namibia Employers' Federation supports reasonable measures enabling mothers to continue breastfeeding after returning to work, but has cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach, noting that employers operate under vastly different circumstances in size, resources, and operating conditions.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations recovered N$1.5 million between April and June linked to 1,241 labour complaints in wholesale and retail businesses, involving unpaid salaries, unlawful deductions, and other payments owed to employees. Labour inspections found common violations including non-payment of wages and unlawful deductions, with a labour expert noting that many workers fear reporting violations due to job loss concerns.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Deputy health and social services minister Suzan Ndjaleka has called on public and private sector employers to introduce breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies, including maternity leave, dedicated breastfeeding corners, and flexible hours, saying mothers should not have to choose between their careers and their children's health.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Employment Equity Commission found seven employers non-compliant with affirmative action provisions after they failed to groom qualified Namibians for senior positions and neglected to obtain required exemptions or approvals from the labour minister. The companies also failed to consult employees during the preparation and implementation of their affirmative action plans.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
More than 2 600 nursing and midwifery graduates have failed the national exam required to practise in Namibia since the test became compulsory in January 2025, raising concerns about the quality of nursing training. The Health Professions Councils of Namibia reported that 2 743 of 5 427 graduates evaluated passed, while 2 683 failed, including those who did not sit for the exam.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Veteran trade unionist Herbert Jauch has launched a book documenting the history, triumphs, and modern challenges of Namibia's workers' movement, covering experiences under colonial rule, the rise of trade unions, and the role of the National Union of Namibian Workers in both the liberation struggle and workplace battles. Jauch says the book fills a gap in historical memory, as experiences of Namibian trade unionists have rarely been documented, depriving future generations of learning from past perspectives on the current labour movement situation.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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 Roads Authority paid private lawyers more than N$2.6 million to discipline and fire two executives accused of inflating a vehicle procurement tender. Labour experts say the expense demonstrates how parastatals squander public money.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse says his ministry will investigate allegations that CVs submitted by unemployed Namibians to M15 Mining Contractor, a Chinese company working for Osino Resources Corporation in Karibib, were dumped in the open. Amutse described the handling of job seekers' personal information as unacceptable and indicated the Ministry of Labour may also become involved due to both labour and ethical concerns.
21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund paid its board of trustees chairperson Penda Ithindi N$114,000 for attending three meetings in two months, and Napwu general secretary Petrus Nevonga N$92,163 during the same period, according to payroll records reviewed by The Namibian. The payments have revived concerns that clustered board and sub-committee meetings have become a parallel income stream for trustees already drawing civil service or union salaries.
4 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition leaders and labour experts have raised concerns about "jobs for comrades"—the practice of hiring based on political party membership and regional affiliation rather than merit. The Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the practice undermines fair employment and compromises nationalism, tracing the issue back to post-independence hiring patterns within state-owned enterprises.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Labour expert Herbert Jauch says workers have nothing to celebrate on May Day, citing that the N$18 per hour minimum wage introduced two years ago amounts to only N$3,400 monthly, with South Africa's minimum wage at N$30 per hour for comparison. Domestic, agricultural, and security workers received phased increases starting January 2024, set to reach N$18 per hour by 2027, despite opposition from the Namibian Employers' Federation.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah clarified that the government's promise to create 500,000 jobs by 2030 will be achieved through economic growth and private sector expansion rather than direct government hiring, but opposition leaders and labour experts criticized the pace of progress, with expert Herbert Jauch noting that only around 5,000 jobs have been created and that 100,000 jobs annually are needed to meet the target.
10 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Cheetah Cement has notified the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations of its intent to retrench 87 employees by 15 April, citing financial losses, import restrictions, and a blocked merger. The notice is a declaration of intent subject to ongoing consultations with the ministry and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia, and the final number of retrenchments may change.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Employers Federation has cautioned that a draft alternative dispute resolution bill, which would allow the justice and labour minister to direct a new commission to mediate disputes deemed in the national interest, could open the door to political involvement in workplace conflicts. While labour analysts note the provision is limited to mediation requiring both parties' agreement, concerns remain about how "national interest" would be defined and the potential for ministerial overreach.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Despite widened access to higher education, Namibian graduates struggle to find permanent employment, with youth unemployment at 44.4% and many university-educated workers forced into informal jobs or underemployment. Labour experts attribute the crisis to structural economic limitations rather than lack of qualifications, leaving graduates bearing costly interview travel expenses while pursuing work in their fields.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Fisheries Observer Agency has operated without a board since August 2025, limiting management oversight and decision-making authority. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform was notified months in advance but has not appointed a replacement board, hampering the agency's ability to approve budgets, strategic plans, and review landed values.
11 February 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that small resource-rich nations like Namibia face threats to sovereignty from great powers pursuing imperial interests, citing the US attack on Venezuela as evidence. The author calls for Global South countries to form strategic alliances based on shared principles to ensure collective security and protect their right to self-determination.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa has rejected the National Housing Enterprise board's request to extend the contract of chief executive Gisbertus Mukulu beyond its June 2026 expiry, declining to publicly explain the decision. The rejection comes amid criticism of NHE's slow housing delivery—the organisation delivered only 445 houses in 2023/24 despite a national housing backlog of about 300,000 units.
26 January 2026 · The Namibian →