Stefanus Nashama
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) stated that it is ready to motivate its bill concerning the issue of the labour-hire system in the country.
The bill seeks to address issues such as poor working conditions, low salaries, non-existent incentives and the exploitation of workers.
According to the Party’s Deputy Leader, Longinus Kalimbo Iipumbu, the bill was supposed to be tabled in Parliament last week, for other members to contribute, however, this could not happen due to preparations for President Hage Geingob’s memorial and funeral arrangements.
“We will see by this week whether the discussion of the bill is marked on the Parliament calendar. I am ready to motivate it,” he said.
Speaking to Windhoek Observer last week, Iipumbu expressed hope that fellow parliamentarians will not object to the bill since it is in the interest of the masses.
“Let’s hope that they will not object to this bill because the masses are suffering,” he wished.
The parliamentarian tabled the motion in the National Assembly last week, following various complaints about poor working conditions of employees, and reports of exploitation of workers in the country.
This, he said, comes through the practice of the labour-hire system in the country, adding that none of the beneficiaries attended to listen to his presentation on the bill.
According to Iipumbu, the labour-hire system is a colonial machinery for another colony in an independent Namibia.
“We have a long history of workers being exploited in the country, and this is under the watch of the Ministry responsible for workers,” he reiterated.
At the same time, Iipumbu lamented the fact that most Members of Parliament are beneficiaries of the labour-hire system, calling for its abolishment.
“We need to do away with this system because only the African Personnel Services (APS), the Ndjendjelas, and others benefit while workers are suffering, being paid peanuts. We are looking forward to Minister to look into this matter and resolve it,” the parliamentarian said.
Iipumbu revealed that NEFF has no relationship with the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation. They only have contact with the Deputy Minister.
He said the deputy minister understands the demands of the masses but that he is unable to do anything without the minister.
“The Minster must get out of his air condition, look at the practice of the system, make investigations, and see what is happening in the background,” Iipumbu advised the Minister.
