Zorena Jantze
THE Minimum Wages Commission as appointed by the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation to investigate all relevant industries and make recommendations on a National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Namibia will finalise its findings at the end of September.
Marius Kudumo, Chairperson of the Wages Commission, explained during the inquiry that to date, some individuals and trade unions have highlighted challenges related to their working conditions.
Equally, employers have highlighted their difficulties in the context of Covid-19 and performance of the economy.
Kudumo stated that the Commission also took note of the difficulty that may arise in balancing a minimum wage in the context of the high unemployment rates, and low economic growth currently in Namibia.
He further noted that other issues brought up during the inquiry include non-compliance of the existing Wage Agreements, poor working conditions, as well as the impact Covid-19 has had on the economy.
The three upcoming activities of the Commission include the public hearings on the 6 September 2021 in Otjiwarango, 7 September in Swakopmund and the final stakeholder engagement session on 10 September in Windhoek.
The next step after the final round of engagements is finalisation of the drafting of the Report, with findings and recommendations, and submission to the minister by the end of September 2021.
“The main objective of the engagement is to obtain input and information with a focus on the Terms of Reference of the Commission. Commissions are generally appointed to investigate and report, and in their investigations, rely on input and information from diverse sources to arrive at findings and recommendations. What the Commission intends to achieve with engagements is input and information to inform findings and recommendations,” Kudumo said.
The Commission has so far received 46 written representations, and as per its work plan, has conducted public hearings in Windhoek, Aussenker, Keetmanshoop, Gobabis, Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Eenhana, Oshakati and Opuwo.
