… He says the role of unions was redefined through the Labour Act as that of social partners alongside the government and employers, tasked with negotiating better conditions of employment and focusing on workplace issues. …
‘N$18 minimum wage not worth celebrating on May Day’Namibia Minute.
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
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Namibian press · Organization
Labour Act
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- April 2026
… An inspection by the labour ministry later confirmed that several fishing companies had violated provisions of the Labour Act; however, the issues were never resolved. …
Fishermen and AG on collision course …Mbandeka wants the case dismissed… In a statement issued last week, the federation said while compliance with labour laws remains non-negotiable, the manner in which disputes are handled must remain within the framework set out in the Labour Act.“Employers who fail to meet statutory requirements must be held accou …
Employers’ federation warns of ‘growing’ ministerial role in labour disputes… The federation cites several legal changes relating to labour that are contributing to policy uncertainty – including amendments to the Labour Act, the implementation of the minimum wage, and the Employment Equity Commission. …
Employers' federation expects Sona to provide businesses with clear direction… In a statement issued on Thursday, the federation said while compliance with labour laws remains non-negotiable, the manner in which disputes are handled must remain within the framework set out in the Labour Act. …
Namibian Employers’ Federation warns against ‘growing’ ministerial role in labour disputes- March 2026
… The retrenchment process was put on hold following a meeting with minister of justice and labour relations Wise Immanuel, who urged that consultations be conducted in line with the Labour Act. …
Swapo’s Gendev sends workers home without pay… The notice cites 87 employees in total that face retrenchment due to economic reasons.The notice is done in accordance with section 34 of the Labour Act,” she said. …
Cheetah Cement retrenchment talks ongoing… . “We hear rumours that the children sometimes go to school hungry.” The police have opened a case at Okatope Police Station of alleged contraventions of the Child Care and Protection Act, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and contraventions of the Labour Act …
Trapped and beaten: Angolan teen (16) escapes unpaid domestic work in Namibia's Oshikoto region… He was unequivocal that paying below the prescribed wage violates the Labour Act, undermines workers’ dignity and affects the government’s integrity as a procuring entity. …
Guards bemoan underpayment amid minimum wages- February 2026
… In response, the company created a new roster in line with the Labour Act. However, employees raised concerns that the new shift schedule – which now allows for 48 hours of rest between shifts – reduced the number of days off from five to four. …
Beifang fires 11 employees over shift roster clash at Husab Mine
Society
Labour expert says N$18 minimum wage insufficient
The News
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.
Why it matters
Labour expert's critique of the N$18 minimum wage as insufficient is timely commentary as Namibia approaches May Day, highlighting ongoing wage disputes.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 29 April
Labour expert says N$18 minimum wage insufficient
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 →
Friday 17 April
Attorney General seeks dismissal of fishermen quota court case
The Attorney General has asked the High Court to dismiss an application by the Okapare Fishermen Association, arguing the applicants lack legal standing to bring the case. The association has sought relief over fishing quota allocations, employment disputes, and alleged constitutional violations dating back to 2014.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
Thursday 9 April
Employers' federation warns against ministerial overreach in labour disputes
The Namibian Employers' Federation has raised concerns about increasing ministerial involvement in company-level labour disputes, arguing that direct engagement by the minister risks blurring institutional boundaries and undermining established legal processes under the Labour Act. Federation president Elia Shikongo called for reaffirmation of the roles of the minister, labour commissioner, and statutory dispute-resolution bodies to ensure clarity and credibility in labour relations.
9 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 8 April
Employers' federation seeks policy clarity from presidential address
The Namibian Employers' Federation has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to use her state of the nation address to provide businesses with clarity on economic policies. NEF president Elia Shikongo cited modest growth, high unemployment, rising costs, and labour law uncertainty as challenges, and urged the government to balance worker protection with business sustainability and job creation.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 4 April
Employers' Federation warns ministerial role blurs labour dispute processes
The Namibian Employers' Federation has raised concerns over growing ministerial involvement in company-level labour disputes, warning it risks undermining established legal processes and institutional boundaries. The federation's president cited the Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter case as an example where ministerial intervention halted restructuring before formal dispute-resolution mechanisms had concluded.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 28 March
Swapo-linked fishing firm sends workers home unpaid
Fishing company Gendev Fishing, partially owned by Swapo, sent approximately 80–90 permanent employees home without pay on 23 March with no clarity on when salaries would be restored, after previously announcing plans to retrench 489 workers due to operational challenges and limited fishing quotas.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 26 March
Cheetah Cement plans to retrench 87 workers by April
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 →
Tuesday 17 March
Angolan teenager escapes unpaid domestic labour in Oshikoto
A 16-year-old Angolan girl has been rescued from unpaid domestic work in Namibia's Oshikoto region after being beaten and starved by her 62-year-old employer, who promised her N$500 monthly wages she never received. The suspect has been arrested and faces charges including contraventions of the Child Care and Protection Act, assault, and human trafficking.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 9 March
Security guards claim underpayment despite minimum wage rules
A security guard working for Amsteel Security Services says he and colleagues earn N$2,000 per month for 12-hour shifts without overtime pay, public holiday pay, or risk allowance, despite a government minimum wage of N$18 per hour effective January 2025. Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has directed all government ministries to verify that state-contracted service providers comply with minimum wage laws.
9 March 2026 · New Era →
Thursday 26 February
Beifang fires 11 workers over Husab shift roster dispute
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 →
Wednesday 18 February
Parliament finds Namibian miners using subcontractors to cut wages
A parliamentary committee investigating 11 mines across five regions found that mining corporations are retrenching permanent employees and rehiring them through subcontractors at lower wages with reduced benefits and job insecurity. The committee also flagged concerns about voluntary separation packages being used to bypass labour law compliance and rising occupational health and safety incidents in the sector.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 13 February
Ombudsman finds NamRA guilty of unlawful ethnic discrimination in hiring
The Ombudsman has released a damning report concluding that the Namibia Revenue Agency's recruitment process violated the Constitution through maladministration, lack of transparency, and apparent discrimination based on race and ethnicity, including the use of "tribal groupings" in shortlisting candidates. The report calls for urgent reforms including stricter adherence to merit-based criteria, independent oversight, and regular audits of hiring practices.
13 February 2026 · New Era →
Monday 26 January
Labour Advisory Council investigates fishing industry worker exploitation
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 →
Monday 12 January
Namib Mills workers strike over wages, company locks out staff
Workers at Namib Mills began striking on Monday after 683 of 710 employees voted to walk out in a wage dispute with management. The company has implemented a temporary lockout, with both sides having engaged the Labour Commissioner; Namib Mills says it remains willing to negotiate and has activated contingency plans to maintain food production.
12 January 2026 · New Era →