Maria Hedimbi

2026-03-082026-10-09

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

October 2026
8 OctThe Namibian
Ministry spokesperson Maria Hedimbi said retrenchment should be considered only as a last resort
Source
“Ministry spokesperson Maria Hedimbi told The Namibian yesterday that retrenchment should be considered only as a last resort.”
Nafau urges Beefcor to delay 393 retrenchments
7 OctThe Namibian
Ministry spokesperson Maria Hedimbi says ministry has statutory mandate to enforce labour laws in all sectors
Source
“Ministry spokesperson Maria Hedimbi says the ministry has a statutory mandate of enforcing labour laws in all sectors, including mining and workers employed through private employment agencies and/or subcontracting arrangements.”
Mining firms outsource to cut costs, boost profits – unionist
August 2026
5 AugThe Namibian
Ministry spokesperson Maria Hedimbi says labour inspections found common violations including non-payment of wages
Source
“She says labour inspections found common violations, including non-payment of wages, unlawful deductions and employers failing to provide statutory sick leave.”
Retail workers ‘robbed’ of N$1.5m by employers
June 2026
16 JunNew Era
Maria Hedimbi stated the ministry recorded two child labour cases during this financial year
Source
“"The ministry recorded two cases of child labour during this financial year that included a boy and girl child who were employed as a cattle herder and a domestic worker in the Kavango East and Oshikoto regions, respectively.”
‘Poverty, abuse, exploitation’….over 200m child labourers globally
15 JunThe Namibian
Ministry spokesperson Maria Hedimbi said Nabta submission is part of statutory obligation as registered trade union
Source
“"The submission of the annual return is part of its statutory obligation as a registered trade union," ministry spokesperson Maria Hedimbi said.”
Taxi body eyes comebackwith digital platform
April 2026
27 AprInformanté
Chief Public Relations Officer Maria Hedimbi said the matter at Omhalanga Mills is complex
Source
“Maria Hedimbi, Chief Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, said that the matter at Omhalanga Mills is a complex one, and that at present, the Labour Ministry is only handling one formal case which has to do with unpaid wages involving a former employee of the company.”
Ministry of Justice and Labour responds on alleged unfair labour practices at Omhalanga Mills
March 2026
26 MarThe Namibian
Maria Hedimbi confirmed notice by Cheetah Cement
Source
“Ministry spokesperson Maria Hedimbi yesterday confirmed the notice by Cheetah Cement.”
Cheetah Cement retrenchment talks ongoing
8 MarThe Namibian
Maria Hedimbi says ministry's policies do not cover undocumented workers, creating exploitation risks
Source
“Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations spokesperson Maria Hedimbi says dealing with cheap labour and exploitation is challenging, because the ministry's policies do not cover undocumented workers.”
Cheap Zambian labour in Zambezi a double-edged sword

Society

Nafau opposes Beefcor's 393 proposed retrenchments at Okahandja abattoir

The News

The Namibia Allied and Food Workers Union has called on Beefcor Meat Suppliers to delay plans to retrench 393 workers at its Okahandja facility, arguing the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak was only confirmed last month and companies should allow time for restrictions to ease before cutting jobs. Beefcor says the FMD outbreak and restrictions on livestock movement and beef exports have crippled operations and caused lost export income, particularly to the EU market.

14 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Nafau opposes Beefcor's 393 proposed retrenchments at Okahandja abattoir
The Namibia Allied and Food Workers Union has called on Beefcor Meat Suppliers to delay plans to retrench 393 workers at its Okahandja facility, arguing the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak was only confirmed last month and companies should allow time for restrictions to ease before cutting jobs. Beefcor says the FMD outbreak and restrictions on livestock movement and beef exports have crippled operations and caused lost export income, particularly to the EU market.
14 hours ago · The Namibian →

Wednesday 7 October

Mining firms use contractors to cut costs, union warns
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 →

Sunday 4 October

Agricultural workers must receive minimum wage during FMD outbreak
Despite the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting the livestock sector, farmers remain required to pay agricultural workers the national minimum wage—N$14 per hour from 1 January, rising to N$18 next year—with no government exemption announced. The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says all employers must comply unless officially notified otherwise, though regional authorities are discussing the wage issue as part of developing an outbreak response plan.
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 5 August

Ministry recovers N$1.5m in retail worker wage complaints
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 →

Tuesday 16 June

Namibia acknowledges child labour in agriculture, domestic sectors
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations reports that child labour remains a serious concern in Namibia, particularly in agriculture and domestic work linked to poverty and food insecurity. The ministry recorded two cases during the financial year involving a cattle herder and domestic worker, both arrested and the children reunited with their families.
16 June 2026 · New Era →

Monday 15 June

Namibia taxi body seeks comeback via digital platform
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta), deregistered in 2024 for failing to submit its annual return, has now submitted the return which is under review, and plans to relaunch with a digital platform to formalise and improve transport safety and accountability.
15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 28 May

Civil servants fear labour arbitrators favour government in disputes
Retired civil servant Manfred Menjengua says arbitrators employed by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations cannot view public service labour disputes objectively and automatically favour the government. He also raises concerns about workplace mistreatment of union activists, gender-based harassment limiting women's promotion, and poor recruitment practices based on political affiliation rather than merit.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 April

Ministry responds to unpaid wage claims at Omhalanga Mills
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations said it is handling one formal case of unpaid wages at Omhalanga Mills, with a hearing set for 29 April 2026, while several other employees have sought advice but not filed formal complaints. Workers claim they have not been paid for seven months.
27 April 2026 · Informanté →

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 →

Sunday 8 March

Zambezi leaders divided over hiring Zambian domestic workers
Katima Mulilo residents and leaders are split on whether employing Zambian nationals for domestic work worsens the Zambezi region's 43.7% unemployment rate. While some argue locals are avoiding low-wage jobs and should support Namibian workers, others contend young Namibians are unwilling to take such positions, and the ministry says undocumented migrant workers fall outside labor protections.
8 March 2026 · The Namibian →