Labour relations key: Hangala

THE President of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry NCCI , Leake Hangala, says if foreign investors want good returns on their money, they need to treat local employees with dignity.

Hangala said some investors mistreated employees and yet expected good production, discipline and commitment. Addressing around 260 people attending the Karas Investors’ Conference at Keetmanshoop yesterday, Hangala said excellent labour relations were the core of investment promotion.He said the NCCI had worked with organised labour like the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) to harmonise labour relations and a conducive investment environment.”The labourers expect dignity, education, training and they want to share in the ups and downs of a company.If we start doing so, we will see the difference.I do not think that labour is against foreign investors,” Hangala said.The head of NamPower also complained about the bureaucracy in local authorities and called on towns and villages to follow the examples of Windhoek which managed to pull off an investment from the multi-million dollar Ramatex Textile Factory.”We must make our towns and regions havens of investment,” he said.Regional and Local Government Minister Joel Kaapanda said they had formulated policies to promote partnerships between international investors and upcoming local entrepreneurs.He said a national programme on public-private partnership was adopted to cut Government limits to cover social needs at regional level.The programme was also designed to empower civil society organisations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and so that local business people could participate in the delivery of services.He appealed for direct involvement of the private sector in the programme.Addressing around 260 people attending the Karas Investors’ Conference at Keetmanshoop yesterday, Hangala said excellent labour relations were the core of investment promotion.He said the NCCI had worked with organised labour like the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) to harmonise labour relations and a conducive investment environment.”The labourers expect dignity, education, training and they want to share in the ups and downs of a company.If we start doing so, we will see the difference.I do not think that labour is against foreign investors,” Hangala said.The head of NamPower also complained about the bureaucracy in local authorities and called on towns and villages to follow the examples of Windhoek which managed to pull off an investment from the multi-million dollar Ramatex Textile Factory.”We must make our towns and regions havens of investment,” he said.Regional and Local Government Minister Joel Kaapanda said they had formulated policies to promote partnerships between international investors and upcoming local entrepreneurs.He said a national programme on public-private partnership was adopted to cut Government limits to cover social needs at regional level.The programme was also designed to empower civil society organisations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and so that local business people could participate in the delivery of services.He appealed for direct involvement of the private sector in the programme.