Trade Union Congress of Namibia — labour advocacy organization that calls for law reforms, warns of legal action over worker rights violations, and threatens strikes in the fishing industry.
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August 2026
New Era
TUCNAaccusedminister of interfering with independence of social partners
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“In a joint statement issued on Monday, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA), Namibia Employers' Federation (NEF) and the Namibia Employers Association (NEA) accused the minister of interfering with the independence of social partners.”
Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA)challengedLabour Minister's decision to seek fresh nominations for the Labour Advisory Council
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“Four major social-partner organisations, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA), Namibian Employers' Federation (NEF) and Namibian Employers Association (NEA), have challenged Labour and Justice Minister Wise Fillemon Immanuel's decision to seek fresh nominations for the council.”
Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA)jointly objected toImmanuel's request for six names from which he would select representatives to the council
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“The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA), Namibian Employers' Federation (NEF) and Namibian Employers Association (NEA) on Monday jointly objected to Immanuel's request for six names from which he would select representatives to the council.”
Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuhasaysany salary-split proposal should be supported by research rather than opinion
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“Trade Union Congress of Namibia secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha says any proposal to split salaries should be supported by research rather than opinion.”
Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA)called forurgent reforms to labour legislation
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“The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA) has called for urgent reforms to labour legislation after Namibia was classified as a regular violator of workers' rights in the 2026 International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index.”
Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA)argues thata multi-pronged approach is essential to bridge gaps in labour protection
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“Experts and labour unions, such as the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA), argue that a multi-pronged approach is essential to bridge these gaps:”
Trade Union Congress of Namibiahas raised concerns aboutworking conditions, delayed wages and job security across fishing industry
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“Unions, including the Trade Union Congress of Namibia, have raised concerns about working conditions, delayed wages and job security across the industry, and have warned of possible legal action against companies that fail to comply with labour laws.”
Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna)has threatened to destabilisethe fishing industry if workers' concerns are not addressed
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“Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) president, Paulus Hango, backed by fishing industry workers, has threatened to destabilise the fishing industry if workers' concerns are not addressed.”
Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna)warns that it may takelegal action against fishing companies if workers' rights continue to be ignored
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“The Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna) warns that it may take legal action against companies in the fishing industry if workers' rights continue to be ignored.”
Labour unions and employer organisations have accused justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel of attempting to unilaterally select representatives for the Labour Advisory Council. The groups say they have already submitted their preferred nominees according to established practice, but Immanuel has asked organisations entitled to three representatives to submit six names for him to choose from, and those entitled to one to submit two.
Labour unions and employer organisations have accused justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel of attempting to unilaterally select representatives for the Labour Advisory Council. The groups say they have already submitted their preferred nominees according to established practice, but Immanuel has asked organisations entitled to three representatives to submit six names for him to choose from, and those entitled to one to submit two.
Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has blocked the reappointment of Labour Advisory Council members who served for up to 12 years, citing the need to inject fresh blood and promote fairness, diversity, and broader representation. The council, which advises the minister on labour matters, had some organizations resubmit only their preferred representatives rather than providing candidate lists as requested.
Namibia's Labour Advisory Council is in dispute over reconstitution: four major social-partner organisations challenge Labour and Justice Minister Wise Fillemon Immanuel's decision to seek fresh nominations, maintaining they have already submitted mandated representatives, while the minister asserts his formal statutory responsibility to appoint council members after rejecting reappointment of representatives who had served approximately nine to 12 years.
Four major social-partner organisations have objected to Labour and Justice Minister Wise Fillemon Immanuel's request for fresh nominations to the Labour Advisory Council, arguing that representatives of organised labour and business should be selected by the constituencies they represent, not by government appointment.
Labour unions have rejected a proposal by a City of Windhoek councillor to split workers' monthly salaries into two payments each month. The National Union of Namibian Workers said the idea would not solve workers' financial challenges and would instead make it harder for low-income earners to meet their fixed monthly obligations.
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.
The Trade Union Congress of Namibia has called for urgent reforms to labour legislation after Namibia was placed in the "orange" category of the International Trade Union Confederation's Global Rights Index for violations of workers' rights. TUCNA highlighted concerns over restrictions affecting trade union registration, collective bargaining, and the right to strike, noting that while Namibia's labour framework provides strong protections on paper, workers face procedural and administrative barriers in practice.
Pension and retirement funds must now pay interest to members if benefits are not transferred within 60 days of request, under regulations from the Financial Institutions and Markets Act 2021 that came into effect on 1 May. Employers must also pay retirement contributions on time or face interest charges, with both employers and their directors liable for unpaid contributions.
Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi ordered an investigation into alleged tribal bias in recruitment at the Roads Authority, finding it employs about 74 people from the Zambezi region compared to more than 300 from northern Namibia. The probe has revived broader allegations of tribalism in hiring practices across Namibian state-owned enterprises and government offices.
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has ordered civil servants to reapply for Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme benefits by end of August following reforms to the scheme's operations. Trade unions have criticized the lack of consultation and warned that reported increases in medical aid contributions could severely impact civil servants' finances.
Domestic workers, farm labourers, and construction crews operate in legal grey zones without basic protections like minimum wage enforcement, health insurance, or access to bank loans for housing. Experts and labour unions call for universal legal coverage, mandatory written contracts, social protection floors, and land reform to ensure dignity of work for Namibia's informal sector.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has referred compensation claims from 252 former Samherji employees to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, noting that affected workers were already considered under a government redress programme aimed at reintegrating them into the fishing industry following the company's 2019–2020 closure. Some former employees argue that placement at other companies does not fully address their financial losses.
The education director in Omusati region has ordered teachers to cease all unauthorized income-generating activities outside their full-time jobs, warning of audits and disciplinary action under the Public Service Act. Teachers have resisted the directive, arguing that their low salaries force them to seek additional income to cover loans and living expenses, with union leaders noting the rule applies to all public servants but should be enforced more educatively.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will use public health facilities after issuing a directive for state employees under the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) to do the same as part of healthcare system reform. The Ministry of Health says it is strengthening medicine supply and staffing, though some civil servants question whether public hospitals are adequately resourced to handle increased patient loads.
Tucna president Paulus Hango warned of a nationwide fishing industry strike if workers' concerns are not addressed, citing over 600 job losses last year, 490 jobs at risk, unpaid workers since October, and systematic exclusion of unions from employment agreements signed by government and companies. Workers also raised concerns including lack of protective equipment, quota allocation issues, and inadequate consultation before layoffs.
The Trade Union Congress of Namibia warns it may pursue legal action against fishing companies including Gendev Fishing over workers' complaints of poor conditions, delayed salaries, and unsafe working environments. Workers across multiple fishing firms report delayed pay, inconsistent hours, lack of benefits, and inadequate protective equipment despite repeated attempts to resolve disputes with management.
Horse mackerel processing company Gendev Fishing Group has notified the labour ministry of a contemplated retrenchment of 489 employees, citing sustained financial losses and reduced revenue. If implemented, the layoffs would bring total job losses in the wet-landed pelagic fishing sector to 1,100 since December, though the company says no final decision has been made pending mandatory consultation.