Windhoek — Prime Minister Nahas Angula has invited the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) to join Government in its efforts to embark on programmes to create employment.

Angula, who spoke at the opening of the NUNW's fifth congress last Friday, said Government is in the process of organising an 'Employment Creation Summit'.

"The goal is to mobilise all stakeholders, including labour, to form a united front for employment creation," he said.

He said the guiding principles for employment creation would be the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Decent Work Agenda and the 2008 ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization.

He added that Go-vernment would "show leadership" in bringing together all the stakeholders, be it the workers unions, employee associations, the private sector or civil society in order to map out strategies to fast-track employment creation.

"In this regard, we are all expected to subscribe to a social contract for employment," the premier said.

Angula said he had been informed that the strength of the NUNW has been affected by retrenchments, defection of members to other unions and a general apathy of workers.

"To reverse this situation, you need a strong, focused and determined leadership.

One way of increasing your membership is to encourage employment creation," Angula said.

He also touched on employment empowerment.

"As a union, I believe you should not just aim for the take-home salary of workers," he added.

He said as workers invest their time and labour in a company, they should also invest a small portion of their salary in acquiring equity in a company as individuals.

"We are entrusted by our followers to ensure that their basic interests are protected. It is betrayal of trust if we use our leadership positions to enhance our private gain," the premier said.