Africa-Press – Namibia. The public dialogue on the promotion of decent work within the Namibian mining sector has taken centre stage among lawmakers.
The dialogue, hosted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Poverty Eradication, Labour and Industrial Relations, provided a platform for the legislature, government, industry, trade unions, civil society and development partners to engage.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila underlined that decent work is a constitutional principle and not merely a policy aspiration.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said, where employment is insecure, unequal or poorly regulated, these values are compromised.
“Mining continues to be a strategic pillar of Namibia’s economy. It contributes significantly to revenue, foreign exchange earnings and employment. Yet, as policymakers, we must look beyond economic indicators to consider the lived realities of workers and their families,” she said.
The speaker stressed that growth must reflect fair opportunities, safe workplaces and sustainable livelihoods. This includes protecting human dignity, social justice and poverty reduction. Meanwhile, the government will continue incentivising the private sector to invest in the training of their employees and promote labour productivity.
The government states skills development by ensuring accessible and quality education and training remain crucial.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila underscored that it is important that we anticipate and prepare for change to minimise disruptions to business and jobs by retraining and adopting technologies that ensure smooth transitions.
She noted that, when a mine’s lifespan ends or it changes its production model, this should not result in job losses or job insecurity.
She urged collaboration between business and government to optimise the benefits from mining and to ensure business profitability, economic development and the welfare of employees and communities.
Meanwhile, the dialogue enabled the stakeholders to share the condition of workers in the industry while creating a space to generate practical recommendations that can inform parliamentary oversight, guide policy development and shape future legislation.
The industry faces frequent retrenchments, outsourcing, unequal treatment of subcontracted employees, inadequate occupational health and safety measures, as well as inconsistent skills transfer.
Additionally, committee chairperson Justina Jonas said these issues demand action.
“This public dialogue is a critical platform for transparency, accountability and constructive engagement. Our goal is to share the committee’s findings, listen to different views and collectively discuss practical solutions to ensure that the mining sector is not only driving economic growth but also advancing decent work, community welfare and national development,” she said on Monday.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
