New inspection system for Labour Ministry

LABOUR Minister Alpheus Naruseb recently launched a new electronic record system to be used by labour inspectors.

The Ministry also received computer equipment worth N$200 000 from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United States of America. An ILO project known as Improving Labour Systems in Southern Africa (ILSSA) started in May 2004 and is also operational in four other SADC countries.Naruseb said the donation couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Ministry’s Directorate of Labour Services was currently adopting new approaches to labour and occupational health and safety inspections.”With the computers handed over today, the Ministry will be able to transform the manner in which the inspectorate operates by creating an electronic master register of establishments,” the Minister said.”This computerised system will enable effective planning and will use the scarce resources to target new workplaces not inspected before.The Ministry will also be able to identify those establishments that have been found to regularly violate their legal obligations and to follow up on issues of compliance,” he added.Naruseb said the Ministry had to ensure compliance with the Labour Act at more than 20 000 workplaces throughout the country.”It is therefore noteworthy that during the 2005 and 2006 financial years the Ministry’s 36 labour inspectors were able to inspect 1 848 workplaces,” Naruseb said.The Minister said inspectors had been trained to use the new system and new electronic forms had been developed.An ILO project known as Improving Labour Systems in Southern Africa (ILSSA) started in May 2004 and is also operational in four other SADC countries.Naruseb said the donation couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Ministry’s Directorate of Labour Services was currently adopting new approaches to labour and occupational health and safety inspections.”With the computers handed over today, the Ministry will be able to transform the manner in which the inspectorate operates by creating an electronic master register of establishments,” the Minister said.”This computerised system will enable effective planning and will use the scarce resources to target new workplaces not inspected before.The Ministry will also be able to identify those establishments that have been found to regularly violate their legal obligations and to follow up on issues of compliance,” he added.Naruseb said the Ministry had to ensure compliance with the Labour Act at more than 20 000 workplaces throughout the country.”It is therefore noteworthy that during the 2005 and 2006 financial years the Ministry’s 36 labour inspectors were able to inspect 1 848 workplaces,” Naruseb said.The Minister said inspectors had been trained to use the new system and new electronic forms had been developed.