Also known as: The Ministry OF Justice and Labour Relations
Namibian government ministry overseeing labour disputes, minimum wage enforcement, workplace safety investigations, and justice system administration across multiple policy areas.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says the review panel will examine deficiencies in employers' affirmative action efforts
“In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says under the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act of 1998, the review panel will examine the deficiencies and assess whether employers are making genuine efforts to promote fair and equitable employment.”
Equity commission summons nine employers amid non-compliance reviewsThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has urged employers affected by FMD outbreak to explore other ways of saving jobs before turning to retrenchments
“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has also urged employers affected by the FMD outbreak to explore other ways of saving jobs before turning to retrenchments.”
Nafau urges Beefcor to delay 393 retrenchmentsThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says outsourcing does not exempt employers from labour legislation compliance
“However, the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says outsourcing workers does not exempt employers from compliance with labour legislation, as such workers are also entitled to similar conditions of employment as prescribed by the law.”
Mining firms outsource to cut costs, boost profits – unionistThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations states there are currently no discussions to exempt agricultural employers from minimum wage compliance due to FMD
“"There are currently no discussions to exempt employers in the agricultural sector from complying with the national minimum wage due to the FMD outbreak," Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations spokesperson Maria Hedimbi tells The Namibian.”
FMD-hit farmers must still pay minimum wageInformanté
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations is undertaking a business re-engineering process at the Master's Office
“THE Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations is undertaking a business re-engineering process at the Master's Office to identify bottlenecks and improve the turnaround time for finalising deceased estates.”
Government targets delays at Master’s OfficeNew Era
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations received 1 103 labour complaints during first quarter of 2026/27 financial year
“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations received 1 103 labour complaints during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.”
A pile of labour sheetsNew Era
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations announced National Minimum Wage Order effective 1 January 2025, phasing security guards to N$18 minimum wage by 2027
“According to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, the National Minimum Wage Order came into effect on 1 January 2025, setting the minimum wage for workers in sectors not otherwise specified at N$18 per hour.”
Mootu shields security guardsInformanté
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations led Namibia's delegation through Universal Periodic Review process
“The outcome was presented by Dr Audrin Mathe, Executive Director of the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, who led Namibia's delegation during the review process.”
Namibia’s Universal Periodic Review outcome adopted by consensusInformanté
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations clarified security workers in construction must receive at least N$16.00 per hour in 2026, N$18.00 from January 2027
“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has clarified that security workers in the construction industry must currently receive at least N$16.00 per ordinary hour in 2026 and N$18.00 per ordinary hour from 1 January 2027.”
Ministry of Justice clarifies minimum wage for construction security workersWindhoek Observer
Ministry of justice and labour relations faces poor court infrastructure, shortages of specialist services, weak record management
“Patience Makwele Namibia's justice system is struggling with poor court infrastructure, shortages of specialist services, weak record management and avoidable postponements that continue to slow the delivery of justice.”
Justice system battles infrastructure, capacity gapsA Windhoek cashier earning N$1,900–N$2,500 monthly says low wages trap workers in poverty despite employment. With inflation at 4.4%, rising transport and fuel costs, and unemployment at 36.9%, Namibia's working poor struggle to afford food, rent, and schooling.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A Windhoek cashier earning N$1,900–N$2,500 monthly says low wages trap workers in poverty despite employment. With inflation at 4.4%, rising transport and fuel costs, and unemployment at 36.9%, Namibia's working poor struggle to afford food, rent, and schooling.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Employment Equity Commission has summoned nine employers, including PricewaterhouseCoopers Namibia and Karibib Private School, to face review hearings on 13 and 14 October over alleged violations of Namibia's affirmative action laws. The commission warns that continued non-compliance could lead to criminal prosecution and has begun formulating criminal charges against several employers.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah called for coordinated national efforts to address social, educational and psychological challenges facing boys and men in Namibia, saying fragmented programmes have limited impact on gender equality and wellbeing.
8 October 2026 · New Era →
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 →
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 →
Acting Supreme Court judge Dave Smuts and legal stakeholders have warned that Namibia's Justice Training Centre is failing to prepare graduates for practical court work, with some lawyers who completed the programme not properly trained for legal practice. Smuts called for a revamped training system that equips graduates with the practical and procedural skills needed to practise law.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations is undertaking a business re-engineering process at the Master's Office to identify bottlenecks and improve turnaround time for finalising deceased estates, following parliamentary concerns about growing backlogs and delays in the process.
30 September 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations received 1,103 labour complaints during the first quarter of 2026/27, with workers raising concerns chiefly about overtime payments, minimum wages, remuneration, and unlawful deductions. Of these complaints, 977 were resolved and 126 referred to the Office of the Labour Commissioner; enforcement action recovered N$1.39 million for affected employees.
29 September 2026 · New Era →
Namibia recorded 43 rhino poachings in 2025, down from 91 in 2024, marking its lowest figures in more than a decade. Environment minister Indileni Daniel warned that criminal syndicates are adapting their methods and new environmental crimes including illegal plant trafficking are emerging.
29 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The ministry of international relations and trade claims investment projects linked to its initiatives created 9,343 permanent jobs across 28 projects attracting N$66.85 billion, but opposition shadow minister Rodney Cloete argues only 951 permanent jobs were actually recorded.
29 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Immanuel has tabled the Ombudsman Bill 2026, which seeks to replace the 1990 Ombudsman Act and establish a modern legal framework that grants the Office of the Ombudsman full financial and administrative autonomy, separating it from the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations. The Bill aligns the office with the Constitution and UN Paris Principles, removes its budgetary dependence on the ministry, and broadens its powers to investigate systemic human rights violations and maladministration.
28 September 2026 · New Era →
LPM lawmaker Utaara Mootu has tabled a motion in the National Assembly calling for a parliamentary investigation into the working conditions, wages, labour rights, job security, benefits and unfair dismissals affecting security guards in Namibia.
28 September 2026 · New Era →
The Human Rights Council adopted Namibia's fourth-cycle Universal Periodic Review outcome by consensus, with Namibia supporting 255 of 290 recommendations (87.9 per cent) submitted during an interactive dialogue on 4 May 2026 involving 111 delegations.
27 September 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has clarified that security workers in the construction industry must receive at least N$16.00 per ordinary hour in 2026 and N$18.00 per ordinary hour from 1 January 2027, after a collective agreement prescribed lower rates of N$153.88 and N$161.57 per 12-hour shift. The ministry stated that the National Minimum Wage takes precedence where a collective agreement prescribes less favourable terms.
26 September 2026 · Informanté →
An editorial following Namibia's State of Justice Conference argues the system must move from discussing problems to implementing solutions, addressing infrastructure, capacity, and administrative weaknesses that cause postponements affecting accused persons, victims, and witnesses.
21 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's justice system is struggling with poor court infrastructure, shortages of specialist services, weak record management, and avoidable postponements that slow justice delivery, according to officials at the State of Justice Conference in Windhoek. The Ministry of Justice highlighted inaccessible courts, lack of secure waiting areas, connectivity challenges, a shortage of psychiatrists for forensic assessments, and postponements linked to incomplete investigations and missing records.
21 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Executive Director of the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations identified infrastructure, mental health capacity, and accessibility as key challenges hindering the delivery of justice, noting that poor court conditions, shortage of psychiatrists for forensic assessments, and lengthy waits for specialist evaluations delay proceedings and deepen trauma.
18 September 2026 · Informanté →
The Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union has called on the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations to investigate workplace safety and possible employer negligence following four worker deaths in less than 40 days, including two at Gammams Water Care Works in Windhoek in August, one at Uis Tin Mining Company, and one at a Chinese construction site in Windhoek.
17 September 2026 · The Namibian →
A WhatsApp message circulating on social media falsely claimed the High Court had ruled in favour of same-sex marriage in Namibia. The office of the judiciary and the ministry of justice and labour relations have clarified that same-sex marriage remains illegal in Namibia.
16 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the National Prayer Day Against Gender-Based Violence and Gruesome Killings in Khomas Region, emphasizing that as a nation Namibia is being haunted by different evils and seeking divine intervention for behavioural change. She noted that a similar prayer day was held 12 years earlier in 2014 under then-President Pohamba, and questioned what more must be done to address the ongoing harmful impact of violence against women and children.
15 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations recorded progress in employment services and labour-law enforcement in the first quarter of 2026/27, registering 3,487 jobseekers, reporting 706 vacancies, and making 257 job placements. During the quarter, 759 workplaces were inspected with 70% found compliant, while four cases of child labour were identified and five non-fatal workplace accidents were reported.
15 September 2026 · Informanté →
The ministry of justice and labour relations has rejected a collective agreement between the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia and the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union that prescribed security-guard rates of N$12.82–N$13.46 an hour, saying they fall below Namibia's statutory minimum wage of N$16 an hour (rising to N$18 from 1 January 2027). The acting executive director said the National Minimum Wage takes precedence over less favourable agreement terms.
15 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia observed National Prayer Day across towns and villages on Saturday under the theme "Seeking Divine Intervention for Behavioural Change," with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warning that prayer alone cannot end gender-based violence and must be matched by government performance and action from families, communities, and institutions.
14 September 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations clarified that security guards in the construction sector must be paid the national minimum wage of at least N$16 per ordinary hour in 2026 (rising to N$18 from 1 January 2027), overriding a lower rate in the construction sector's new collective agreement that set security wages at N$153.88 per 12-hour shift in the first year.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that protection orders under the Combating of Domestic Violence Act must be served within 24 hours without exception. She also disclosed that the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations is reviewing the application of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act and the Combating of Rape Act to address repeat offenders, chronic delays, and protection gaps.
12 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has extended the 2026 Collective Agreement between the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia and MANWU to all construction employers and employees, making the terms legally binding across the entire sector for two years. The agreement, effective from Tuesday, mandates improved wages and conditions including free protective clothing, living-away allowances of 15% of hourly wage for workers deployed away from home, and additional travel allowances where daily travel exceeds three hours.
3 September 2026 · Informanté →
Minister Modestus Amutse officially inaugurated the National Steering Committee on the Informal Economy in Windhoek on Friday, a 35-member body chaired by Diina Nashidengo. According to the minister, 58% of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, with 59% in rural areas.
21 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Gendev Fishing Group has proposed paying workers 70% of their guaranteed 195-hour salary during periods when the company is not fully operational, but the union continues to demand 100% of the guarantee, leaving wage negotiations deadlocked. The company says it cannot afford the union's demand due to limited fishing quota and grounds.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →