Niël Terblanché
The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has raised the alarm over escalating trends of outsourcing and contracting in the mining and diamond cutting and polishing sectors.
The MUN’s general secretary, George Ampweya, expressed concern about the adverse effects of such practices on job security and workers’ rights.
In a strongly worded statement issued On Monday, the Ampweya condemned multinational companies’ reliance on these practices, which he says undermine decades of progress in labour rights.
He warned that outsourcing and contracting, increasingly favoured by employers, erode job stability by replacing permanent positions with precarious employment.
“These arrangements often circumvent fair wage standards and safe working conditions, leaving many workers vulnerable. By avoiding collective bargaining processes, companies effectively weaken the unified voice of the workforce, fostering a fragmented labour environment,” he said.
Last week Sinomine, the new owner of the Tsumeb Smelter came under fire for appointing ten Chinese nationals at their operations on a secondment basis.
According to Ampweya, this approach creates divisions among workers, reducing solidarity and increasing competition for fewer secure positions.
He urged companies to prioritise employment practices that ensure long-term stability, equitable wages, and respect for labour rights.
The general secretary also directed its appeal to the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, calling for robust legislation to protect outsourced and contracted workers.
“Such laws guarantee access to benefits and protections for all employees, regardless of the nature of their employment,” he argued.
In addition to outsourcing concerns, the Ampweya expressed unease over the disproportionate hiring of foreign nationals.
This trend is to the disadvantage of skilled local workers,” he said.
He also criticised the preference for expatriates, often unqualified, over Namibians with the requisite expertise.
Ampweya added that this practice undermines the economic potential of the country while sidelining competent local talent.
“At a time when local graduates are actively seeking jobs, the reliance on unskilled foreign labour is unfair and harmful to our economy,” he said.
He described the issuance of work permits to underqualified foreign workers as irresponsible and called for a transparent and consultative approach to such decisions.
Ampweya urged the government to prioritise Namibian citizens in employment policies and to engage trade unions and industry representatives before making decisions impacting the labour market.
He also called on multinational companies to ensure proportional representation of Namibians, even in key roles, emphasising the potential of a local workforce to drive economic growth.
Ampweya appealed to sister unions and industry leaders to collaborate on legislative reforms regarding work permits.
“Such reforms should prioritise the recognition and utilisation of local skills to foster a fair and equitable labour market,” he said.
Ampweyas called for a workforce that benefits and empowers Namibians while rejecting practices that marginalise local talent in favour of foreign entities with questionable contributions to the national economy.
According to Ampweya, a critical need exists for policy and corporate practices that align with the nation’s developmental goals.