Labour battles staff shortage, limited budget
SWAKOPMUND – Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation deputy minister, Hafeni Ndemula said the ministry will strive to do “enough” with the limited budget allocated to it.
During his budget motivation on Friday of the ministry’s N$207 million for the 2023/24 financial year, Ndemula noted that the ministry is currently operating with a staff complement of only 53% of its approved structure, which undoubtedly contributes to some of the gaps and delays in the ministry’s performance.
“This amount is very limited and imposes a limitation on the implementation of the ministerial plan, programmes and projects,” he said, in the National Assembly before expressing: “The labour ministry shall, however, align its priorities to the amount allocated and deliver as possible, with the limited resources at our disposal, in the hope that this house will prioritise an expanded budget in the future.”
Ndemula noted that the ministry, during the 2023/24 financial year, will make every effort to instil its work with a sense of urgency and a stronger and more empathetic customer-centred approach.
This will include; eliminating delays, responding quickly and boldly to matters of public interest, involving labour and employment; and making the ministry more visible and accessible. This is in addition to the activities outlined with respect to employment creation.
The ministry has budgeted N$82.7 million for the Promotion of Harmonious Labour Relations, a programme implemented by the labour commissioner which is responsible for labour disputes resolution.
The programme is aimed to ensure equitable workforce and labour services for harmonious labour relations by enforcing compliance and ensuring adherence through labour inspections on basic conditions of employment and occupation safety and health, among others.
Some N$30.4 million will go to a programme to facilitate the coordination of employment creation, productivity, research, career guidance, vocational counselling and preparing young people for the future of work.
This programme will facilitate the coordination of employment creation, productivity, research, career guidance and vocational counselling.
International relations, advice as well as supervision and support services are also some of the programmes to be funded through this budget.