Who Gets a Seat at the Table? Namibia’s Labour Council Dispute Needs Dialogue, Not Deadlock
The dispute over the reconstitution of Namibia’s Labour Advisory Council may appear, at first glance, to be a disagreement over names and nominations. It is, however, about something considerably more important: who gets to speak for workers and employers when decisions affecting the country’s labour market are being made. Four major social-partner organisations, the National […]
The dispute over the reconstitution of Namibia’s Labour Advisory Council may appear, at first glance, to be a disagreement over names and nominations. It is, however, about something considerably more important: who gets to speak for workers and employers when decisions affecting the country’s labour market are being made.
Four major social-partner organisations, the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA), Namibian Employers’ Federation (NEF) and Namibian Employers Association (NEA), have challenged Labour and Justice Minister Wise Fillemon Immanuel’s decision to seek fresh nominations for the council.
The organisations maintain that they have already submitted representatives mandated by their respective constituencies and object to the minister requesting a list of names from which government would select representatives.
The minister, on the other hand, has a formal statutory responsibility in the appointment of members to the Labour Advisory Council. His decision followed the rejection of the reappointment of representatives who had reportedly served between three and four consecutive terms, or approximately nine to 12 years.
There is therefore a legitimate question on both sides.
