FARMWORKERS’ working conditions have not improved because most farm owners do not respect the laws of the land, according to National Council member Barakias Namwandi.
Namwandi was speaking during debate on the Labour Amendment Bill in the National Council on Tuesday. Namwandi called on farmers’ associations to educate their members on implementing the labour law.He said during a recent visit to his Mariental constituency, he observed alleged inhumane treatment of farmworkers.”The workers are not paid according to the minimum wage for farmworkers, the living conditions of workers are poor and they are not allowed to have their own animals on the farm land they are working and living on,” Namwandi said.He said on one farm in his constituency, a 58-year-old farmworker was being paid N$50 a week and was required to pay for his own food.”How can you expect a human being to sustain his or her life with N$50 a week,” Namwandi asked.He also charged that most farmers were not registering their workers with the Social Security Commission and that the SSC should investigate this as a matter of urgency.”It is also a challenge for the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to visit these farms and investigate unfair labour practices reported on these farms in my constituency, as the full report [on this matter] has been handed over to the regional labour offices at Mariental,” Namwandi said.He supported the Bill.Also in support of the Bill, Councillor Phillemon Ndjambula from Olukonda Constituency in the Oshikoto Region, asked the National Council to outlaw the labour-hire system in Namibia.”History has taught us many things, for example the South West Africa Native Labour Association (SWANLA) at which workers were exploited and discriminated, therefore the need to outlaw the labour-hire system, not only for the peace of mind of employees, but for the everlasting employment opportunities in the employment industries which will enhance mutual understanding between employers and employees and ensure conducive labour relations and job security in the country,” Ndjambula said.He said he was happy that the Bill addressed the issue of maternity leave, but was disappointed that it did not provide for paternity leave.”I recommend fathers to have paternity leave for five days while their wives are recovering [from their labour],” Ndjambula said to applause from fellow Councillors in the House.Namwandi called on farmers’ associations to educate their members on implementing the labour law.He said during a recent visit to his Mariental constituency, he observed alleged inhumane treatment of farmworkers.”The workers are not paid according to the minimum wage for farmworkers, the living conditions of workers are poor and they are not allowed to have their own animals on the farm land they are working and living on,” Namwandi said.He said on one farm in his constituency, a 58-year-old farmworker was being paid N$50 a week and was required to pay for his own food.”How can you expect a human being to sustain his or her life with N$50 a week,” Namwandi asked.He also charged that most farmers were not registering their workers with the Social Security Commission and that the SSC should investigate this as a matter of urgency.”It is also a challenge for the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to visit these farms and investigate unfair labour practices reported on these farms in my constituency, as the full report [on this matter] has been handed over to the regional labour offices at Mariental,” Namwandi said.He supported the Bill.Also in support of the Bill, Councillor Phillemon Ndjambula from Olukonda Constituency in the Oshikoto Region, asked the National Council to outlaw the labour-hire system in Namibia.”History has taught us many things, for example the South West Africa Native Labour Association (SWANLA) at which workers were exploited and discriminated, therefore the need to outlaw the labour-hire system, not only for the peace of mind of employees, but for the everlasting employment opportunities in the employment industries which will enhance mutual understanding between employers and employees and ensure conducive labour relations and job security in the country,” Ndjambula said.He said he was happy that the Bill addressed the issue of maternity leave, but was disappointed that it did not provide for paternity leave.”I recommend fathers to have paternity leave for five days while their wives are recovering [from their labour],” Ndjambula said to applause from fellow Councillors in the House.
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