Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation Deputy Minister, Hafeni Ndemula said although, with a limited budget, the ministry will strive to do ‘enough’ with what is allocated.
During his budget motivation on Friday of the ministry’s N.dollars 207 million for the 2023/24 financial year, Ndemula noted that MLIREC is currently operating with a staff complement of only 53 per cent of its approved structure, which undoubtedly contributes to some of the gaps and delays in the ministry’s performance.
“This amount is very limited and imposes a limitation on the implementation of the ministerial plan, programmes and projects,” he said in the National Assembly before expressing: “MLIREC shall however align its priorities to the amount allocated and deliver as well as possible with the limited resources at our disposal, in the hope that this House will prioritise an expanded budget in the future.”
Ndemula noted that the ministry during the 2023/24 financial year, will make every effort to instil its work with a sense of urgency and a stronger and more empathetic customer-centred approach.
This will include; eliminating delays, responding quickly and boldly to matters of public interest involving labour and employment; and making the ministry more visible and accessible. This is in addition to the activities outlined with respect to employment creation.
MLIREC has budgeted an amount of N.dollars 82.7 million for the Promotion of Harmonious Labour Relations, a programme implemented by the Labour Commissioner which is responsible for labour disputes resolution.
The programme is aimed to ensure equitable workforce and labour services for harmonious labour relations by enforcing compliance and ensuring adherence through labour inspections on basic conditions of employment and occupation safety and health, among others.
Some N.dollars 30.4 million will go for a programme to facilitate the coordination of employment creation, productivity, research, career guidance, vocational counselling and preparing young people for the future of work.
This programme will facilitate the coordination of employment creation, productivity, research, career guidance and vocational counselling.
International Relations and Advice as well as Supervision and Support Services are also some of the programmes to be funded through this budget.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
