The Agricultural Employers’ Association (AEA) claims compulsory benefits make farmworker remuneration higher than that of other sectors, threatening agricultural employment following a 4% job decline.
This is according to a survey conducted by the association, covering 420 employers – about 20% of farmers – spread across all regions of the country, and involving more than 3 000 workers.
The survey is conducted every two years.
The survey report, published in the latest issue of the Namibia Agricultural Union newsletter, says various aspects of the remuneration structure and labour management of farmworkers were examined and analysed at national and regional level.
The report further says the average value of the basic salary of farmworkers (cash and rations) is N$3 599.69 per month, or N$18.46 per hour.
“This represents an increase of 22.8% compared to the 2024 survey. Of this, the monthly cash salary averages N$2 695.59 and the value of rations N$814.97,” the association says.
“This is skewed and not in line with other sectors, and therefore unfair to farmers,” association vice chairperson Christine Stoman says, adding that this will even be higher in January when farmers start paying the minimum wage of N$18 per hour.
The farming sector currently pays a minimum of N$14 per hour.
Stoman says the association has been trying to negotiate with the government since 2024 for an acceptable pay structure for farmworkers to avoid job losses.
The survey reported a 4% decline in employment opportunities in agriculture over the past two years, to an average of 7.14 workers per employer, down from 7.44 workers in 2024.
“This is despite the fact that agricultural production has grown considerably over the same period,” the report states.
When considering all the compulsory free benefits farmworkers receive, the total average remuneration package per farmworker is N$5 087.51, or N$26.09 per hour.
“This is 44.94% more than the national minimum wage of N$18 per hour that applies to other sectors. A total of 66.22% of households on farms have electricity or solar power in their homes, while all households have access to free firewood,” the association’s report says.
In addition to the remuneration, 85.24% of participants confirmed paying workers an annual bonus, while 90.95% of participants also indicated their workers received salary increases during the year.
The AEA says the large increase in basic salary compared to the previous survey is the direct result of the national minimum wage that was unilaterally imposed on the agricultural sector by the government in January 2025, before final consultation with the agricultural unions.
Stoman says the AEA and the Farmworkers’ Union recently met with minister of justice and labour relations Wise Immanuel at Gobabis for a workable solution for both parties, but did not disclose what was agreed on.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
