Namibia is characterised by extremely high levels in income inequality and high
levels of unemployment - particularly among women and the youth. Wages and
salaries are the main source of household incomes, although most rural
households rely on subsistence farming.
The majority of Namibian workers fall into the category of unskilled or semiskilled
workers, usually earn relatively low wages and enjoy few benefits. In
some sectors, trade unions managed to achieve significant improvement in
conditions of employment through collective bargaining.
Unionisation rates are fairly high, particularly in the public sector, the mining
industry as well as the fishing, textile, wholesale and retail sectors. Here,
unionisation rates stand at above 50%. On the other hand, the small business
sector, banking and financial institutions and domestic workers are still poorly
organised.
Despite its small population of about 1,9 million people, Namibia has about 30
trade unions, grouped into 2 federations and several un-affiliated unions. The
largest trade union federation is the National Union of Namibian Workers
(NUNW) which represents 60 000 - 70 000 workers. The NUNW played a key
role during Namibia's liberation struggle and continues to be affiliated to the
ruling SWAPO party. Unions outside the NUNW rejected this party-political link
and formed a new rival federation in 2002, known as the Trade Union Congress
of Namibia (TUCNA).
The Namibian labour movement was confronted with various challenges posed
by government's neo-liberal economic policies. Various disagreements between
labour and the state/employers became visible around the issues of privatisation,
the introduction of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and the emergence of labour
hire companies. Overall, trade unions found it difficult to decisively influence
such broader socio-economic policies in favour of their constituency.
The Namibian Labour Act of 1992 constituted a major improvement for labour
compared to the colonial labour legislation. A new Labour Act will be
implemented soon and is expected to pave the way for the improved resolution of
industrial conflicts.
Namibia has no national minimum wage but trade unions managed to negotiate
minimum wage agreements in the agricultural sector as well as the construction
industry. An agreement for the security industry is likely to be finalised soon.
Trade unions expect government to pass binding regulations regarding minimum
conditions of employment for vulnerable workers such as domestic workers and
petrol station attendants.
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There are various tripartite bodies such as the Labour Advisory Council on which
trade unions are serving. These bodies tend to be advisory in nature and are
composed mainly of non-union representatives. This limits labour's power in
terms of decision-making. However, trade unions managed to successfully lobby
on certain issues such as the granting of full labour rights to workers in the EPZs.
Namibian unions face a host of challenges today. They will have to improve their
recruitment strategies to organise workers in the non-traditional sectors (such as
the small business sector) and render effective services to their members.
Unions also need to ensure functioning structures and accountability to their
membership within their own organisation.
Beyond the workplace, unions need to develop effective strategies to influence
broader socio-economic policies in favour of workers and the poor in general.
This will require the development of labour's own policy proposals and the forging
of strategic alliances with other organisations representing the interests of the
Namibia's disadvantaged majority.