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 recovered N$1.5 million during three-month period linked to 1,241 labour complaints
“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations told The Namibian yesterday that it recovered N$1.5 million during the three-month period linked to 1 241 labour complaints.”
Retail workers ‘robbed’ of N$1.5m by employersThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations published Government Notice No. 334 allocating public service grades to magistrate positions on 18 December 2025
“Although the association, the commission and the Office of the Judiciary reportedly reached agreement on a revised schedule in early November last year, the minister instead published Government Notice No. 334 on 18 December 2025.”
Magistrates take Govt to court over pay, perksInformanté
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has announced commencement of regional consultative meetings on the amendment of the Employment Service Act
“THE Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has announced the commencement of regional consultative meetings on the amendment of the Employment Service Act (Act No. 8 of 2011), scheduled from August to 16 September 2026.”
Labour ministry hosts regional consultations on amendment of Employment Service ActThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says the commission failed to publish annual reports due to budget constraints, staffing shortages and software system collapse
“Approached for comment the custodian of EEC, the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says the commission failed to publish its annual reports due to budget constraints, staffing shortages and the collapse of its case management software system.”
Equity body in violation of own rulesNew Era
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations acknowledges child labour remains a serious concern in agriculture and domestic work
“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations acknowledges that child labour remains a serious concern, particularly in agriculture and domestic work, sectors closely linked to poverty, food insecurity and household vulnerability.”
‘Poverty, abuse, exploitation’….over 200m child labourers globallyThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations confirmed that Nabta recently submitted annual return currently under review
“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations confirmed this on Thursday.”
Taxi body eyes comebackwith digital platformThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has given civil servants until August to reapply for medical aid benefits
“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has given civil servants until August to do so.”
Civil servants to feel Psemas pinchThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations is mandated to cover compensation for all government employees who sustain injuries
“The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, through the department of labour relations, is mandated to cover compensation for all government employees who sustain injuries.”
N$4.9m paid to 258 Govt employees injured on dutyInformanté
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations does not have an ILO office
“He added that Namibia does not have an ILO office and mainly depends on technical expertise deployed from South Africa.”
Funding pressures risk ILO mandate executionThe Namibian
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations was referred compensation claims of 252 former Samherji employees
“The fisheries ministry has referred the compensation claims of 252 former Samherji employees to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations while citing existing government redress efforts.”
Fisheries hooks labour in Samherji payoutsA 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 →