Land, profit-sharing top Hage Workers' Day agenda

President Hage Geingob condemned exploitative labour practises, while calling for a more skilled workforce and for employees to become the focal point of developmental efforts. In speech delivered on his behalf by Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Erkki Nghimtina, Workers’ Day celebrations at Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay, Geingob also noted his concern about the land issue. He said demands for a land conference were valid. “The issue is highly emotive and should be addressed carefully and progressively to prevent undesirable circumstances. Moving in opposite directions undermines shared needs,” Geingob said in the speech. “I am therefore re-affirming my personal commitment to addressing land reform and the provision of affordable housing. The constitution does not provide for expropriation of land and we will invoke the expropriation clause as part of government policy and where necessary endeavour to change any national laws prohibiting development.” The President announced that SADC countries agreed on a strategy and road map for the industrialisation of the region during a summit held in Harare, Zimbabwe last week. Geingob said industrialisation must take centre stage in SADC. He said the theme of this year’s May Day celebration –‘Stronger Industry for Workers’ Prosperity’ - was in sync with the Swapo election manifesto titled ‘Consolidating peace, stability and prosperity’ and in line with the direction SADC member states want to take. “In order to attain the prosperity Namibians desire, workers whose labour will create the necessary capital for prosperity, must become the focal point of developmental efforts.” The President challenged the workforce to play a greater role in the economy and pointed out that that mere salary increments would not bring about the targeted growth rate of 7% government is aiming to achieve. “Workers must share in the wealth generated by industries and must be allowed to own a stake in the companies through shareholding. Only through the transformation of our economies through industrialisation can more and better jobs be created.” He said a strong industrial sector will serve as an important driver of poverty suppression. Geingob said the creation of the Ministry of Poverty Eradication and the renaming of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development were done to tackle poverty and create space for wealth creation. “Namibian workers need to be highly skilled and trained in order to enhance growth in the economy and also to deal with socio-economic challenges facing the country therefore the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation is expected to intensify efforts and expand its scope of vocational training countrywide in order to equip workers with skills required to enhance the economy.” According to the President better workers’ rights create higher productivity and leads to faster economic growth. It also tends to result in a better distribution of income for workers and firms alike, leads to larger overall input that gets more evenly distributed. This in return results in stronger and stable local demand, which reduces the chance of a financial crisis. He called for smart and progressive thinking with regard to conducting business with global partners, especially pertaining to investments in the extractive industries, fisheries and other sectors where natural resources are exploited, in order to address socio-economic challenges. “‘We must enhance industrial relations and encourage smart partnerships between investors and Namibians, in order to empower Namibians economically and ensure that workers and investors’ rights are not compromised in the process.” The President also commended Swakop Uranium for investing in state-of-the-art facilities for workers and said he was keen to visit the site which ensures a comfortable and safe working environment. WALVIS BAY OTIS FINCK