Africa-Press – Namibia. Kaviveterue Virere
Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Fillemon Immanuel, has assured workers of the City of Windhoek (CoW) who are currently on strike that his ministry will investigate their concerns. The employees from the City’s Solid Waste department, most of them cleaners, claim that they were paid N$14.00 per hour rather than the legally required minimum of N$18.00.
Addressing the group yesterday, Immanuel said such claims are worth investigating. He noted that a compliance order to guarantee that workers receive their legally required wages if the payment gap is confirmed will be issued.
The workers marched to his office, seeking recourse in the manner the City was allegedly dealing with their concerns.
He, however, asserted that the ministry’s role is to facilitate dialogue between workers and employers, highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring that labour disputes are addressed fairly, transparently, and within the law.
The meeting comes after the workers went on strike for almost two weeks, expressing concerns about a series of issues affecting their working conditions and better wages.
“It is our responsibility to make sure that employees’ concerns are heard. However, government intervention is primarily mediatory,” Immanuel said.
He said government only gets involved directly in cases involving rights issues that involve the application of current laws or contract obligations.
In contrast, the government must act as a facilitator rather than a decision-maker in issues of interest, such as wage increases or better working conditions, which must be negotiated directly between employers and employees.
The minister underlined that employees are entitled to representation in discussions, either through union officials registered with the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations or elected representatives from within their own organisations.
“To ensure that everyone is on the same page, it is crucial that all social partners comprehend the procedures and requirements for engagement,” he clarified.
The minister said there are occasional misunderstandings between ministry representatives and municipal administration. He personally plans to speak with the CEO of the City of Windhoek to resolve the matter quickly.
Regarding more general demands, such as those for better working conditions, the minister emphasised that the government cannot dictate the terms.
He clarified that wage increases and working conditions must result from discussions between employers and workers. “It is our responsibility to encourage participation, facilitate that conversation, and make sure that everyone acts in good faith,” he said.
Immanuel also emphasised the value of union participation in informing employees of their rights and differentiating between rights conflicts and interest disputes. He claimed that because there is often a misunderstanding of what is legally protected and what needs to be negotiated, employers and employees misunderstand issues.
“This is about clarity, fairness, and making sure that everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities.” “It is in our best interests to settle disputes quickly, defend the rights of employees, and encourage social discourse to be independent,” said the justice minister.
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