Staff Reporter
THE Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) today held consultations with the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Wise Immanuel, amidst looming retrenchments in the diamond mining sector.
Phillipus George Ampweya, the Secretary General of MUN, said that critical issues affecting the diamond cutting and polishing sector, as well as the broader mining and extractive industries, were tabled for urgent consideration.
The Union delegation was led by Acting President, Cde. Poco-key Mathew Mberiuana, accompanied by General Secretary, Cde. George Ampweya, together with representatives of the National Executive Committee from the Central Region.
“The engagement focused on the alarming developments within the diamond cutting and polishing sector, particularly the recent retrenchments at Almond Diamonds and Dash Diamonds, the growing prevalence of precarious employment conditions in the sector, and the urgent need for policy and regulatory reforms,” Ampweya said.
A total of 35 local diamond polishers from Almond Diamonds mining company face retrenchment after the company’s diamond quota was terminated in December 2024 by the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) due to alleged non-compliance issues.
Ampweya said that MUN further raised concerns regarding the stagnation of the Diamond Bill, including provisions that undermine due process and worker protections.
“We welcomed the opportunity to present our position and reiterate the importance of recognising the Mine Workers Union as a strategic partner in shaping the future of Namibia’s mining and related sectors. Central to our submission is the call for institutionalised tripartite engagement, trade union-inclusive licensing frameworks, and ministerial oversight in sightholder allocation to safeguard employment and sustain beneficiation,” Ampweya concluded.
Photo: Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations
