WINDHOEK: When workers are treated fairly, paid a decent wage, and provided with safe working conditions, they are more productive and contribute to economic growth, Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creations (MLIREC), Utoni Nujoma has said.
Nujoma said this on Tuesday during the launch of the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) on decent work in the Namibian fisheries sector and the business forum on advancing decent work in the Namibian fisheries at Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region.
The event aims to create awareness, discuss issues that pave the way for improvement in the sector and promote opportunities in the Namibian fisheries supply chain.
‘The status of employment relations in the fishing sector remains unabated as the forum also aims to present an opportunity for Namibian businesses to explore the existing local and international markets and enhance business sustainability and diversification,’ he said.
To foster, deliver and ensure harmonious labour relations, Nujoma high
lighted key milestones achieved by his ministry.
‘The finalisation and gazetting of the second variation in the fishing sector, whereby certain conditions of the service/employment have been varied in certain provision of chapter 3 of the Labour Act, 2007 (Act No. 11 of 2007) for the fishing sector,’ said Nujoma, adding that this variation does not intend to disadvantage workers or employers, but rather aims to promote decent work in the fishing sector and promote sustainability.
Some of the main functions of the NCM as highlighted by Nujoma include the support and coordination of the full implementation and enforcement of convention No. 188, through constant, effective and robust social dialogue, acting as the coordination mechanism to be established under Article 7 of the same convention; consult and make recommendations to the minister responsible for labour and other relevant ministries and to promote decent work in the Namibian fisheries sector.
Nujoma urged all stakeholders in the fisheries sector to
support the initiative and to work together to promote decent work for all.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency