Also known as: Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel · Minister of justice and labour relations Wise Immanuel · Filemon Wise Immanuel · Justice Minister Wise Immanuel
Justice and Labour Relations Minister who oversees labour disputes, social protection initiatives, and rural access to justice services.
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The Namibian
Wise Immanuel met with the AEA and the Farmworkers' Union at Gobabis
“Stoman says the AEA and the Farmworkers' Union recently met with minister of justice and labour relations Wise Immanuel at Gobabis for a workable solution for both parties, but did not disclose what was agreed on.”
Farmers feel squeezed as wage bill bitesThe Namibian
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel says talks should be first step before workers resort to strikes
“Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel says talks between workers and employers should be the first step in resolving workplace problems before workers resort to strikes or demonstrations.”
Strikes should not be the first option – ImmanuelThe Namibian
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel allegedly tried to single-handedly choose Labour Advisory Council representatives
“Labour unions and employer organisations have accused justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel of trying to single-handedly choose who should represent them on the Labour Advisory Council (LAC).”
Unions, minister clash over labour councilThe Namibian
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel delivered an address on behalf of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
“Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel took to the podium to deliver an address on behalf of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, declaring that "social protection is not merely a safety net; it is a strategic investment in human capital, inclusive economic growth, resilience and social justice".”
Wise Words On Paper, Nothing On The TableThe Namibian
Wise Immanuel says African countries must treat social protection as a right rather than option
“Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel says African countries must treat social protection as a right rather than an option if they are to reduce poverty and create decent jobs.”
Minister Immanuel urges Africa to prioritise social protectionThe Namibian
Wise Immanuel said governments need sustained funding, stronger partnerships and better coordination to turn continental commitments into action
“Immanuel said governments need sustained funding, stronger partnerships and better coordination to turn continental commitments into action.”
Minister Immanuel urges Africa to prioritise social protectionThe Namibian
Wise Immanuel called for urgent residential security protection for all magistrates and prosecutors
“Justice minister Wise Immanuel in February called for urgent residential security protection for all magistrates and prosecutors.”
Lawyer faces criminal case after death threatThe Namibian
Minister Wise Immanuel led a delegation during a session with workers at Swakopmund
“Minister of justice and labour relations Wise Immanuel on Friday led a delegation during a session with workers at Swakopmund in an effort to strengthen labour relations.”
Labour minister Immanuel intervenes at Beifang MiningThe Namibian
Minister of justice and labour relations Wise Immanuel asked UN member states to observe a moment of silence for Cassinga Massacre victims
“On 4 May last year in Geneva, Switzerland, minister of justice and labour relations Wise Immanuel asked United Nations (UN) member states to observe a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in the Cassinga Massacre.”
Are Human Rights All About Popularity?New Era
Minister Wise Immanuel outlined the country's renewed focus on long-term planning and economic recovery
“Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Wise Immanuel, outlined the country's renewed focus on long-term planning and economic recovery.”
Namibia unveils bold development drive at UN …social investment, governance reforms and service delivery take centre stageThe Agricultural Employers' Association says compulsory benefits make farmworker remuneration higher than other sectors, citing a survey of 420 employers covering over 3,000 workers across all regions. The survey found average farmworker basic salary at N$3,599.69 per month (N$18.46 per hour), up 22.8% from 2024, and reports a 4% employment decline in the sector.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Agricultural Employers' Association says compulsory benefits make farmworker remuneration higher than other sectors, citing a survey of 420 employers covering over 3,000 workers across all regions. The survey found average farmworker basic salary at N$3,599.69 per month (N$18.46 per hour), up 22.8% from 2024, and reports a 4% employment decline in the sector.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Wise Immanuel says workers and employers should prioritise talks and regular social dialogue to address workplace problems before resorting to strikes or demonstrations. He urged the government, employers and workers to use existing platforms to discuss labour issues collectively and proactively.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Protection Services says 534 security guards face possible job losses when its contract with the City of Windhoek ends on 31 August. The company has asked the justice and labour minister to intervene and requested the municipality consider incorporating the guards into a new service provider, though the city says employment decisions are NPS's responsibility.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel, addressing an African Union technical committee meeting in Windhoek on behalf of the president, declared that ministers have agreed to accelerate social protection systems for informal workers, rural and migrant communities, defining social protection as a fundamental human right. The Namibian's columnist is sceptical, suggesting the commitments amount to "bureaucratic poetry" with limited practical impact.
9 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel told an African Union technical committee in Windhoek that African countries must treat social protection as a right to reduce poverty and create decent jobs. Ministers agreed to expand social protection systems to cover informal economy workers, rural communities, migrant workers and vulnerable groups, and called for policies to help young people find work and strengthen labour markets.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Joshua Kaumbi, a Windhoek-based lawyer and politician, faces three criminal charges—assault by threat, common assault, and assault with intent to do bodily harm—after allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill a child maintenance officer handling his case in July. He has not been arrested pending evidential documents from the doctor, and has denied the allegations while opening a counter-case.
29 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Affirmative Repositioning MP Tuhafeni Kalola is questioning remarks made by US ambassador John Giordano to chief justice Peter Shivute, in which Giordano allegedly told judges they could call him to contact people he knows to help with their cases. Kalola argues the remarks appear to breach Article 78(3) of the Namibian Constitution, which safeguards judicial independence, and has asked the justice minister whether the government has assessed the ambassador's statements and whether they constitute an attempt to interfere with the Judiciary.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The labour ministry has intervened at Beifang Mining Services following employees' complaints about working conditions, labour rights and alleged non-compliance with the Labour Act. Minister Wise Immanuel led a delegation in Swakopmund to engage with workers and management, emphasizing the importance of trade unions and compliance with labour legislation.
20 June 2026 · The Namibian →
During Namibia's Universal Periodic Review at the UN in May, peer countries commended progress including decriminalisation of same-sex relations and universal healthcare adoption, but raised serious concerns about high rates of gender-based violence, undermining of judicial independence, and lack of legal protection for LGBTQI+ people.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →
At the 52nd Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Namibia outlined its national development drive centred on service delivery, economic resilience and governance reforms. The country emphasised the National Development Plan Six, which focuses on economic recovery, human development, green growth and effective governance, with poverty eradication and expanded social protection systems as key priorities.
7 May 2026 · New Era →
Namibia has been ranked Africa's most gender-equal country and the only African nation in the global top 10, with an overall gender gap closed by over 81.1%. The country's achievement is attributed to progressive policies and institutional reforms, including being the first globally where women hold the top three government positions: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Vice President Lucia Witbooi, and National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
6 May 2026 · New Era →
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel called for stronger collaboration between workers, employers and government during International Workers' Day commemorations in Opuwo, saying such partnerships are essential to drive Namibia's economic growth and social development. He stressed the importance of tripartism to address labour challenges, with each stakeholder playing a critical role in strengthening the economy and improving working conditions.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia has firmly pushed back against international calls to expand legal protections for LGBTQ individuals, with Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Wise Immanuel defending the government's position at a UN review.
5 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Minister of Justice and Labour Relations visited Community Courts in the Kunene Region on 29–30 April 2026 to assess operations, strengthen collaboration with traditional authorities, and ensure rural communities have access to justice services. The visit included stops at Aodaman and Fransfontein courts in Khorixas, and Otjikaoko and Vita Royal courts in Opuwo.
4 May 2026 · Informanté →
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel handed over two vehicles to the Otjikaoko and Ongandjera community courts at Opuwo to improve access to justice in remote areas. The minister said the initiative aligns with Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan and reflects government commitment to decentralizing legal services and strengthening public institutions.
1 May 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources' regional office in Walvis Bay to assess the Vessel Monitoring System, a satellite-based tool used to track licensed fishing vessels and combat illegal fishing. The system has enabled detection and arrest of vessels violating fisheries laws over 14 years, though officials briefed the President on challenges including high maintenance costs, legal framework gaps, and emerging maritime crimes.
25 April 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
About 90 permanent employees of Gendev Fishing Group were sent home last week, with no clarity on their status. The move follows the company's earlier notification of a contemplated retrenchment of 489 workers, attributed to sustained financial losses, reduced revenue, and an inadequate quota allocation of 3,351 metric tonnes against the company's 45,000-tonne annual capacity.
30 March 2026 · New Era →
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 →
The Mine Workers Union of Namibia met with the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations to discuss looming retrenchments in the diamond cutting and polishing sector, including 35 workers facing job losses at Almond Diamonds after the company's quota was terminated by the Namibia Diamond Trading Company. The Union called for policy reforms, stronger worker protections, and tripartite engagement in mining sector governance.
19 March 2026 · Informanté →
A Social Security Commission manager has formally requested an internal audit investigation into whether CEO Milka Mungunda improperly influenced procurement processes linked to the planned National Pension Fund and National Medical Benefit Fund. The investigation is expected to determine whether procurement procedures and governance rules were followed during preparations for implementing the two national funds.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi denied that keynote speakers for regional Independence Day celebrations were chosen based on political affiliation, saying the selection was a collective decision focused on the region's challenges and service delivery rather than party considerations.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Nahas Angula and regional officials have defended the selection of 11 Swapo members as speakers for Oshikoto's 36th Independence Day event, saying the invitations were issued by the regional council and constituency leadership based on availability and status as leaders, not political affiliation. They acknowledge that Independence Day is a national event open to all Namibians and claim non-Swapo members were also invited, though specifics were not provided.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The government is facilitating the re-employment of 222 former Walu Fishing workers through a redress programme involving four companies following a labour dispute. Walu Fishing lost its 2026 fishing quota after disputes with workers and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform.
13 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namib Mills and the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union have ended a 59-day strike involving about 1,000 workers. Under the agreement, workers will receive part of last year's benefits and bonuses, with backpay expected next week and improved benefits from 1 July 2026 automatically incorporated.
13 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A 59-day strike by nearly 700 Namib Mills workers across Namibia has ended following an agreement with the employer. The union secured improved benefits for 2026, including partial bonus payments on Friday and back pay the following week, with full benefits to take effect from 1 July.
12 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibian Employers Federation has cautioned that a draft alternative dispute resolution bill, which would allow the justice and labour minister to direct a new commission to mediate disputes deemed in the national interest, could open the door to political involvement in workplace conflicts. While labour analysts note the provision is limited to mediation requiring both parties' agreement, concerns remain about how "national interest" would be defined and the potential for ministerial overreach.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The government will reintegrate 222 workers from Walu Fishing through agreements with four fishing companies under the Government Employment Redress Programme, as part of efforts to address labour grievances and promote job creation in the sector. Recent consultations at Walvis Bay clarified employment obligations and worker placement, with companies instructed to submit signed contracts to enable the government to finalise designation agreements and release fishing quotas.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namib Mills workers represented by Naretu have failed to reach a wage deal with the food manufacturer despite four rounds of mediated negotiations, with the union citing threats of disciplinary hearings and what it calls company "arrogance." The company claims it has agreed on wage issues and is ready to end the lockout, but says the union has added demands outside the scope of wage negotiations and blames workers for unlawful strike conduct.
9 March 2026 · The Namibian →