SA commends Nam for abolishing recruitment firms

L abour and Social Welfare Minister Immanuel Ngatjizeko has signed a memorandum of understanding with his South African counterpart, Membathisi Mdladlana, in various areas of co-operation.

The areas include social dialogue, dispute resolution mechanisms, institutions and productivity, labour inspections and employment equity as well as labour law reform. Mdladlana commended the Namibian government for abolishing labour hire companies, saying such companies have enslaved workers for many years.Ngatjizeko said the signing of the agreement came at a particularly appropriate time, just as Namibia is about to put into effect the new Labour Act on November 1 this year.In preparation for the new Act, the two countries have been co-operating for some time to facilitate the introduction of the Namibian system of dispute prevention and resolution.”Our two countries have much in common in the labour field because of the former colonial relationship, and the legacy of apartheid.At one point, both countries had virtually very identical laws,” he noted.The minister explained that there are similarities in the modern legislative frameworks as the problems that the two ministries have to address are often the same, particularly when it comes to tackling unemployment, skills deficits, labour hire and the goal of decent work.He said the co-operation agreement will build on the parallels and existing relationships, while giving impetus to new approaches both nationally, in the region and the African continent to contribute to the social and economic development of the two countries.Mdladlana said: “People are working hard without being registered as employees and without benefits.”He said South Africa will learn from Namibia in that regard, as there are still labour hire companies operating in his country.”Your new Labour Act is going to be an experience for us,” he noted.Mdladlana then paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Nahas Angula and the Secretary-General of the ruling Swapo-Party, Pendukeni Ivula-Ithana.NampaMdladlana commended the Namibian government for abolishing labour hire companies, saying such companies have enslaved workers for many years.Ngatjizeko said the signing of the agreement came at a particularly appropriate time, just as Namibia is about to put into effect the new Labour Act on November 1 this year.In preparation for the new Act, the two countries have been co-operating for some time to facilitate the introduction of the Namibian system of dispute prevention and resolution.”Our two countries have much in common in the labour field because of the former colonial relationship, and the legacy of apartheid.At one point, both countries had virtually very identical laws,” he noted.The minister explained that there are similarities in the modern legislative frameworks as the problems that the two ministries have to address are often the same, particularly when it comes to tackling unemployment, skills deficits, labour hire and the goal of decent work.He said the co-operation agreement will build on the parallels and existing relationships, while giving impetus to new approaches both nationally, in the region and the African continent to contribute to the social and economic development of the two countries.Mdladlana said: “People are working hard without being registered as employees and without benefits.”He said South Africa will learn from Namibia in that regard, as there are still labour hire companies operating in his country.”Your new Labour Act is going to be an experience for us,” he noted.Mdladlana then paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Nahas Angula and the Secretary-General of the ruling Swapo-Party, Pendukeni Ivula-Ithana.Nampa