Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, has said that about 200,000 job seekers are registered on the Namibia Integrated Employment Information database, capturing the tip of the iceberg on the dire unemployment situation faced by many Namibians in the country.
The minister made these remarks at the inauguration of the fourth Employment Services Board, or ESB. Utoni explained that the appointment of the board comes at a time when the country is experiencing daunting labour market challenges, among them being Youth unemployment, which stands at 46%, as per the available official statistics of 2018.
“At the current moment, about 200,000 job seekers are registered in the Namibia Integrated Employment Information, of whom the majority are finding it difficult to be absorbed into the Namibia labour market due to limited available job opportunities. And where there are job opportunities, the majority of these job seekers have no minimum skills and experience required by employers. The youth are looking to us for solutions to these problems, and more concretely, for jobs. Because of the tripartite character of the Employment Services Board, you, as representatives of employers, trade unions, and the State, are uniquely positioned to advise on workable solutions to address these challenges,” Nujoma said.
He added that it is regrettable to note that most of the activities on the plan of action for the previous Board were not fully implemented. One such activity is the amendment of the Employment Service Act, 2011 (Act No. 8 of 2011). Nujoma added that this should also be given a high priority in the new Board’s activity plan.
“I am hopeful that with the diversity of skills on this Board, the amendments will be completed within the first year of your tenure. These amendments are critical in closing the gaps that hamper full enforcement of the Act, particularly with respect to the issuing of compliance orders to non-complying employers. The amendment will also provide for the establishment of a national productivity centre. The finalization of the amendment of the Employment Services Act and its implementation plan is paramount to the functioning of Public Employment Services (PES) as well as the entrenchment of multi-sectoral cooperation to ensure decent job and productivity employment for all,” the labour minister said.
The functions of the Employment Services Board, among other things, are to investigate and advise the minister on the provisions of the Employment services and the attainment of other objectives of the Employment Services Act, as well as to assist the minister in monitoring and analyzing labour market developments concerning occupations and occupational segments in particular, including vocational training.
The members of the board are Klaus Schade, Chairperson, David Iigonda, State representative, Raimi Shikulo, State, Eite Shiponeni, State Re-Appointed, Tangeni Shindondola, Trade Unions-Tucna, Abraham Baisako, Trade Unions – Nunw, Martha Abner, Employers, Diogenus Tshuuya, Employers, Jessica Gawachab, representing persons with Disabilities, Brian Prince-Soetan, representing National Youth Council, Albius Mwiya for Specialized Knowledge in Labour and Employment, Ben Tjatjara also Specialized Knowledge in Labor and Employment, Allison Hishekwa for Specialized Knowledge in Immigration Matters, and Dr. Hertha Pomuti for Specialized Knowledge in Education Matters. The board will serve for a total of three years.
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