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Namibia: Chinese Builders Broke the Law, Says Labour Chief
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The Namibian (Windhoek)
6 May 2008
Posted to the web 6 May 2008
Oswald Shivute
Oshakati
GOVERNMENT has investigated complaints about foreign companies operating in Namibia, especially Chinese ones, and found them to be in the wrong, particularly on occupational health and safety, minimum wages and conditions of employment.
This was said by Labour Commissioner Bro-Mathew Shinguadja when he addressed a Workers' Day celebration at Oshakati on Thursday.
Shinguadja said not only Chinese builders were breaking the law, but Namibian and South African construction companies were also found wanting in many respects.
"Let us put pressure on all the defaulters without being seen as if it is a xenophobic reaction.
All sectors - particularly the security industry where employees have been without any pay for more than six months, especially here in the north-central regions - all must comply," he said.
Shinguadja noted that although Namibia enjoyed relatively good labour relations compared to other countries in the SADC region, this relationship remained fragile and very sensitive.
Labour relations were characterised by suspicion on the part of employers and worker's unions alike, he said.
This was not healthy for mutual trust and respect, according to him.
Despite these negative tendencies, Shinguadja said, there were encouraging signs of willingness to consult and bargain collectively between many employers and trade unions.
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He said once the amended Labour Act became operational all labour disputes would be handled through conciliation and arbitration processes aimed at resolving labour disputes faster, effectively, fairly and with fewer formalities.
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