Justice ministry recovers over N$2 million in unpaid wages
The Justice ministry through its Labour Inspectorate, has successfully recovered over N$2 million in unlawfully withheld wages and statutory entitlements from non-compliant employers during the 2024/25 financial year.
In a press statement issued yesterday (Wednesday), the ministry confirmed that N$2,062,933.03 was reclaimed on behalf of aggrieved workers across various sectors. The recovered amount represents outstanding wages and other employment-related benefits that were denied to employees.
The recovery process stems from the resolution of 3,317 labour complaints out of a total of 4,176 lodged with the ministry between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.
The ministry highlighted that the most common instances of non-compliance included the non-payment of remuneration and overtime, failure to compensate employees for work done on Sundays and public holidays, and unauthorized or excessive salary deductions.
The highest recovery was recorded in the central region, which includes Windhoek, Gobabis, Rehoboth, Okahandja, Omaruru, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay, where N$722,119.43 was collected. In contrast, the southern region, covering Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Karasburg, Noordoewer, Rosh Pinah, Oranjemund, and Lüderitz, saw the lowest recovery at N$130,608.00.
“This recovery underscores the Ministry's commitment to protecting workers’ rights and enforcing the Labour Act. However, it also paints a troubling picture of employers who are unwilling to meet even the most basic legal obligations towards their employees,” the ministry said.
In addition to recovering unpaid wages, the ministry conducted 1,739 workplace inspections during the same period, in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment as outlined in Chapter 3 of the Labour Act. These conditions include remuneration, working hours, leave entitlements, accommodation provisions, and termination procedures.
Of the total inspections conducted, 1,380 workplaces were found to be compliant, while 353 were found in contravention of the law.
The ministry is urging all employers to treat legal compliance not only as a statutory obligation but as a moral responsibility towards their workforce—one that should be upheld without prompting or mediation.
In a press statement issued yesterday (Wednesday), the ministry confirmed that N$2,062,933.03 was reclaimed on behalf of aggrieved workers across various sectors. The recovered amount represents outstanding wages and other employment-related benefits that were denied to employees.
The recovery process stems from the resolution of 3,317 labour complaints out of a total of 4,176 lodged with the ministry between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.
The ministry highlighted that the most common instances of non-compliance included the non-payment of remuneration and overtime, failure to compensate employees for work done on Sundays and public holidays, and unauthorized or excessive salary deductions.
The highest recovery was recorded in the central region, which includes Windhoek, Gobabis, Rehoboth, Okahandja, Omaruru, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay, where N$722,119.43 was collected. In contrast, the southern region, covering Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Karasburg, Noordoewer, Rosh Pinah, Oranjemund, and Lüderitz, saw the lowest recovery at N$130,608.00.
“This recovery underscores the Ministry's commitment to protecting workers’ rights and enforcing the Labour Act. However, it also paints a troubling picture of employers who are unwilling to meet even the most basic legal obligations towards their employees,” the ministry said.
In addition to recovering unpaid wages, the ministry conducted 1,739 workplace inspections during the same period, in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment as outlined in Chapter 3 of the Labour Act. These conditions include remuneration, working hours, leave entitlements, accommodation provisions, and termination procedures.
Of the total inspections conducted, 1,380 workplaces were found to be compliant, while 353 were found in contravention of the law.
The ministry is urging all employers to treat legal compliance not only as a statutory obligation but as a moral responsibility towards their workforce—one that should be upheld without prompting or mediation.
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