Govt wants to ‘protect employees’

The Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, says he would make a submission to Cabinet that would compel government and its agencies to put special specifications on tenders in future.

Ngatjizeko noted that these specifications would act to protect employees who are employed by companies and individuals who are awarded government tenders. These specifications would especially serve to protect employees in the construction industry and the security services provision sector, he stressed.He said there is a need for government and parastatals to ensure that companies and individuals who are awarded tenders do comply with all the aspects of the labour law.Ngatjizeko said government would be indirectly responsible for the welfare of people employed by contractors who have successfully tendered for government projects.- Nampa Gibeon community project pleads for assistance * The members of the Hatzulm Lighthouse Agricultural Scheme (Halas) have appealed to the government and its development partners to assist the scheme so as to make it more viable.In a statement to the media in Keetmanshoop on Thursday, Halas members said they are involved in a very productive agricultural project that has the potential to provide the Gibeon village in the Hardap Region with fresh fruit and vegetables.The scheme, however, is experiencing problems to extract water for the gardening project, as the water table is too low.”There is a lot of strong underground water, but to get it above ground is our concern and problem,” the statement read, adding that buying diesel for the current water pump has become too expensive to maintain.In order to run the project viably, the members now require a solar power system to pump water.”Please someone, any ministry, non-governmental organisation (NGO) company or willing individual or embassy, help us to get solar power on this farm to contribute to the development of our people and country,” the plea of the Halas members read.Hatzulm is situated some 20 kilometres outside Gibeon along the Liver River on a piece of very fertile soil.- Nampa Bank Windhoek scoops Namibia’s best bank award * Bank Windhoek has scooped the award as the “Best Bank in Namibia” for the year 2008 for its performance and structural factors such as market share, growth in important product classes, profitability and corporate strategy.The emeafinance, a London-based magazine covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa, honoured the local bank as a leading institution that has proven itself well capable of competing with foreign rivals in the country’s young banking sector.The bank will get its award on 08 December 2008 in London during the magazine’s African Banks’ Achievement awards’ ceremony.Commenting on the prize, Acting Managing Director of Bank Windhoek Chris Matthee said his bank has always been a self-contained bank and succeeded to show sound and sustained growth as well as improving on shareholders’ returns in a very competitive environment.”Each one of our more than 1 000 staff members can rightfully be proud of their contribution towards the success of the bank,” he noted.Bank Windhoek has been a Namibian-owned banking institution since its establishment in 1982.NampaThese specifications would especially serve to protect employees in the construction industry and the security services provision sector, he stressed.He said there is a need for government and parastatals to ensure that companies and individuals who are awarded tenders do comply with all the aspects of the labour law.Ngatjizeko said government would be indirectly responsible for the welfare of people employed by contractors who have successfully tendered for government projects.- Nampa Gibeon community project pleads for assistance * The members of the Hatzulm Lighthouse Agricultural Scheme (Halas) have appealed to the government and its development partners to assist the scheme so as to make it more viable.In a statement to the media in Keetmanshoop on Thursday, Halas members said they are involved in a very productive agricultural project that has the potential to provide the Gibeon village in the Hardap Region with fresh fruit and vegetables.The scheme, however, is experiencing problems to extract water for the gardening project, as the water table is too low.”There is a lot of strong underground water, but to get it above ground is our concern and problem,” the statement read, adding that buying diesel for the current water pump has become too expensive to maintain.In order to run the project viably, the members now require a solar power system to pump water.”Please someone, any ministry, non-governmental organisation (NGO) company or willing individual or embassy, help us to get solar power on this farm to contribute to the development of our people and country,” the plea of the Halas members read.Hatzulm is situated some 20 kilometres outside Gibeon along the Liver River on a piece of very fertile soil.- Nampa Bank Windhoek scoops Namibia’s best bank award * Bank Windhoek has scooped the award as the “Best Bank in Namibia” for the year 2008 for its performance and structural factors such as market share, growth in important product classes, profitability and corporate strategy.The emeafinance, a London-based magazine covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa, honoured the local bank as a leading institution that has proven itself well capable of competing with foreign rivals in the country’s young banking sector.The bank will get its award on 08 December 2008 in London during the magazine’s African Banks’ Achievement awards’ ceremony.Commenting on the prize, Acting Managing Director of Bank Windhoek Chris Matthee said his bank has always been a self-contained bank and succeeded to show sound and sustained growth as well as improving on shareholders’ returns in a very competitive environment.”Each one of our more than 1 000 staff members can rightfully be proud of their contribution towards the success of the bank,” he noted.Bank Windhoek has been a Namibian-owned banking institution since its establishment in 1982.Nampa