Windhoek, February 16 – Hon. Justina Jonas, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Poverty Eradication, Labour and Industrial Relations, opened a public dialogue in Droombos, Windhoek, with a stark call to address exploitative practices in Namibia’s vital mining industry.
“Mining remains a cornerstone of our national economy, contributing significantly to GDP, government revenue, and employment,” Jonas stated. However, she revealed that recent Committee oversight uncovered “concerning practices” threatening workers and communities, including widespread retrenchments, outsourcing, unequal treatment of subcontracted employees, inadequate occupational health and safety measures, and inconsistent skills transfer.
The dialogue, hosted by the Committee, aims to foster transparency, accountability, and solutions. Jonas positioned it as a platform to share parliamentary findings, gather stakeholder views, and chart paths toward “decent work, community welfare, and national development.”
She urged frank, respectful discussions to build an “inclusive, fair, and sustainable” mining sector. “Let us work together to create a mining sector that is not only driving economic growth but also advancing decent work,” Jonas concluded, thanking participants for their commitment to improving mineworkers’ conditions.
The event underscores growing parliamentary scrutiny of the industry which employs thousands but faces criticism for labour inequities amid Namibia’s push for sustainable development.
