Tripartite talks necessary for change

GOVERNMENT needs to do more to improve the country’s economic status, a prominent local businessman has said.

Giving his address as the outgoing Namibian Employers’ Federation President, Harold Pupkewitz on Wednesday called on Government to re-establish its national priorities so as to effectively deal with the continuous problems of skills shortage, unemployment, inflexible labour practices and the negative impact of the HIV-AIDS pandemic. “The Government looks to the private sector as the engine of economic growth and the private sector understands how to play its role to produce positive results.”It is, therefore, of deep concern that despite this recognition the Government does not see its way clear to facilitating economic growth by removing obstacles to growth and producing a conducive macro- and micro-economic environment.”The seeds of social discontent are being sown by Government policy but we will all reap the bitter harvest,” said the man who had been at the helm of the NEF for 11 years.Pupkewitz also said that it was Government’s duty to put its ‘foot down heavily’ on the trade unions to ensure that tripartism would work to produce consensus on industrial relations so as to bring about economic growth.On his part, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Alpheus !Naruseb, called on employers and trade unions to approach his Ministry for professional advice at an early stage before taking a course of action that could result in protracted labour disputes.”We believe that it is preferable for employers to negotiate with the trade union both the manner of retrenchment and the amelioration of the negative impact of retrenchment.”I also bring to your attention that the Labour Act 2007 will introduce a period of mandatory conciliation of such disputes …”The Minister called on the NEF to be more proactive and become involved in conferences held in and outside the country to discuss national productivity, saying “social dialogue cannot flourish unless we consistently participate in such activities on a tripartite basis.”!Naruseb also challenged Namibians to change their mindset towards entrepreneurship, saying it was time to think outside the box.”The Government looks to the private sector as the engine of economic growth and the private sector understands how to play its role to produce positive results.”It is, therefore, of deep concern that despite this recognition the Government does not see its way clear to facilitating economic growth by removing obstacles to growth and producing a conducive macro- and micro-economic environment.”The seeds of social discontent are being sown by Government policy but we will all reap the bitter harvest,” said the man who had been at the helm of the NEF for 11 years.Pupkewitz also said that it was Government’s duty to put its ‘foot down heavily’ on the trade unions to ensure that tripartism would work to produce consensus on industrial relations so as to bring about economic growth.On his part, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Alpheus !Naruseb, called on employers and trade unions to approach his Ministry for professional advice at an early stage before taking a course of action that could result in protracted labour disputes.”We believe that it is preferable for employers to negotiate with the trade union both the manner of retrenchment and the amelioration of the negative impact of retrenchment.”I also bring to your attention that the Labour Act 2007 will introduce a period of mandatory conciliation of such disputes …”The Minister called on the NEF to be more proactive and become involved in conferences held in and outside the country to discuss national productivity, saying “social dialogue cannot flourish unless we consistently participate in such activities on a tripartite basis.”!Naruseb also challenged Namibians to change their mindset towards entrepreneurship, saying it was time to think outside the box.