Namibia ratifies ILO convention on eliminating violence … also endorses decent work for domestic workers
Namibia recently became the first African country and only third International Labour Organisation (ILO) member state to ratify the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. This convention is the first international bidding instrument aimed specifically at eliminating violence and harassment in the workplace. The two other ILO members states that signed this convention were Uruguay and Fiji.
The ILO convention protects workers and other persons in the world of work, including employees as defined by national laws and practices, as well as persons working irrespective of their contractual status, persons in training (including interns and apprentices), workers whose employment has been terminated, volunteers, job seekers, customers and job applicants as well as individuals exercising the authority, duties or responsibilities of an employer.
Namibia also deposited the instrument for ratification of the ILO’s conventions concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers 2011. Both these conventions were adopted for ratification in the National Assembly in October 2020.
The depositing was done on behalf of Namibia by the country’s former Permanent Representative of Namibia to Switzerland and United Nations Office at Geneva, Ambassador Penda Naanda with ILO’s Director General, Guy Ryder late last week.
“For many years, our country has been grappling with the problem of sexual and genderbased violence and harassment. In addition, the legacy of apartheid in the form of racist violence and harassment is unfortunately still alive, particularly in the world of work. In addition, bullying and various forms of behaviour that inflict physical, emotional and or economic harm persist,” said
Naanda during the deposition.
The Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers emphasises the importance of achieving decent working and living conditions, respect for human rights, fundamental rights, and access to social protection for domestic workers.
In support of the Decent Work for Domestic Workers in the country, Namibia introduced a minimum wage and Supplementary Minimum Conditions of Employment for Domestic Workers in April 2016 that was made through the appointment of a tri-partite Wages Commission as required by the Labour Act. This was further followed by a second Wage Order for Domestic Workers promulgated in 2018.
According to Naanda, Namibia houses about 50 000 domestic workers, constituting 7% of Namibian employees, of whom two-thirds are female domestic workers. He further indicated “although the Namibian law is now fully aligned with Convention 189, the challenge remains to ensure compliance with the law to improve wages and conditions of employment for domestic workers”.
Acknowledging Namibia’s commitment in ratifying the two conventions, the ILO’s Ryder is optimistic that Namibia’s ratification of Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention will encourage more countries to take steps in extending basic labour rights to domestic workers around the world.
He highlighted that “the f ramework provided by Convention No. 190 is of utmost importance during the current Covid-19 pandemic since many forms of work-related violence and harassment have been reported across countries since the outbreak began.”
By ratifying these conventions, they now become domestic laws in terms of Namibia’s Constitution and are now enforceable locally.