Govt audits employment redress programme
Tuyeimo HaidulaONDANGWAThe agriculture ministry says the Government Employment Redress Programme is under audit by the Office of the Auditor-General, executive director Teofelus Nghitila has confirmed.Nghitila told Namibian Sun on Wednesday that the audit will determine the status of employees under the scheme and provide clarity on long-standing concerns. The findings are expected to address questions raised about the employment situation in the fishing sector.
“The government remains committed to addressing the employment situation in the fishing sector, and once the audit is concluded, the results will be shared for information,” he said.
This week, justice minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel also voiced concern over allegations that some fishing companies continue to pay fishermen who are not rendering services under the programme.
In a letter to the agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani, Immanuel said the practice had allegedly persisted for some time, with companies misrepresenting to the government that workers were employed while they were not.
Immanuel warned that such conduct violates Namibia’s labour laws and could amount to misrepresentation or fraud.
He requested Zaamwani to investigate the allegations and to caution designated entities that paying wages without work is “irregular and corrupt.”
He further urged that companies engaged in the practice be instructed to stop immediately, warning that failure to do so could result in consequences.
The Government Employment Redress Programme was introduced to cushion workers affected by job losses in the fishing industry, but questions have persisted over its implementation and the conditions of those employed under it.
“The government remains committed to addressing the employment situation in the fishing sector, and once the audit is concluded, the results will be shared for information,” he said.
This week, justice minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel also voiced concern over allegations that some fishing companies continue to pay fishermen who are not rendering services under the programme.
In a letter to the agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani, Immanuel said the practice had allegedly persisted for some time, with companies misrepresenting to the government that workers were employed while they were not.
Immanuel warned that such conduct violates Namibia’s labour laws and could amount to misrepresentation or fraud.
He requested Zaamwani to investigate the allegations and to caution designated entities that paying wages without work is “irregular and corrupt.”
He further urged that companies engaged in the practice be instructed to stop immediately, warning that failure to do so could result in consequences.
The Government Employment Redress Programme was introduced to cushion workers affected by job losses in the fishing industry, but questions have persisted over its implementation and the conditions of those employed under it.
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