Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Charcoal Association of Namibia says it is in talks with government to find an affordable and practical way to regularise the status of Angolan workers employed in the charcoal sector, as the current immigration amnesty nears its end and a ministerial decision is expected before the end of February.
The General Manager of the Charcoal Association of Namibia (CAoN), Eckhard Volkmann, said the amnesty, introduced in December last year, allows undocumented foreign nationals to report to immigration offices and receive temporary permission to exit the country. He added that the measure has significant implications for the charcoal industry, where many Angolan nationals are employed on farms.
Volkmann said the presence of undocumented foreign workers is not unique to the charcoal sector, adding that the amnesty provides a final opportunity for affected individuals to restore their legal status. He explained that the association has been in intensive discussions with authorities since December to develop an administrative and affordable solution that would allow foreign workers in charcoal production to be regularised.
He acknowledged that current legislation does not provide a clear, standard mechanism for legalising such workers, posing challenges for both government and industry. However, he said there is willingness from authorities to explore workable solutions while broader legal reforms are considered later in the year.
According to Volkmann, proposals have been submitted to the minister following two meetings with the ministry, and feedback is expected within the coming week. He said the industry hopes clarity will be provided before the end of February, within the extended amnesty period.
He further clarified that previous arrangements allowing Angolan workers to operate in the sector were never formally recognised in law, amounting to tolerance rather than a regulated system. The current process, he said, aims to formalise procedures and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
Volkmann expressed confidence that any new framework would not disrupt charcoal production, but would instead improve administrative processes and restore legal certainty for employers and workers in the sector.
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