The newly established Wage Commission is in Rundu to investigate the possibility of introducing a national minimum wage in the country.

At a meeting held at the Kavango East Regional Council hall on Wednesday, the Commission’s Chairperson, Marius Kudumo, said the Commission will investigate all relevant industries, report and give recommendations to the Minister of labour industrial relations and employment creation on a proposed national minimum wage.

‘The proposed national minimum wage will apply to all employees, except to related categories of employees specifically exempted by the minister,’ he said.

One of the issues the Commission will be looking at, he said, is how ordinary hours of work will be calculated if the national minimum wage is introduced.

The Commission will also be looking at whether an employer should provide a written employment contract to all employees.

‘We are also looking at whether there should be a category of employers or employees where the implementation of the minimum wage should be phased in,’ he said.

Kudumo said internship is another area they will look at to see whether those on internship should also be entitled to a minimum wage.

‘We are also looking at reviewing the minimum wage. At what intervals should it be reviewed and adjusted because of other factors such as inflation or cost of living increasing,’ he said.

Johanna Kambinda from the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers’ Union in Kavango East Region said they want a minimum wage that would ensure workers are not exploited for self-enrichment schemes.

She said the introduction of a minimum wage will to some extent reduce poverty and increase the wages of lowest-paid workers.

Source: Namibia Press Agency