The
Namibian Labour market
Over
the last few years, mainly because of the development
experienced within the mining, fishing, agriculture
and tourism sectors, the Karas Region has benefited
from an influx of professionally skilled workers.
In addition, the Region has a large potential
workforce in the low to medium skills range.
Industrial
relations between employers, employees and trade
unions are regulated by the Labour Act, 1992 (No.
6 of 1992), which stipulates the following:
Working
hours
Normal working hours should not exceed 45 hours
per week.
The maximum working day is 9 hours for a 5-day
week and 7.5 hours for a 6-day week.
A maximum of 2 days a week and 9 hours a day applies
to casual workers.
As regards overtime, a maximum of 3 hours a day
or 10 hours a week applies.
Overtime rates are 1.5 times the hourly rate on
normal working days, and double the hourly rate
on Sundays and public holidays.
Leave
The paid annual leave entitlement is 24 consecutive
days, plus 8 public holidays.
The annual sick leave entitlement after 12 months’
employment is 30 working days for those on a 5-day
week and 36 working days for those on a 6-day
week. Employees are obliged to provide a medical
certificate in certain cases.
As regards maternity leave, female employees are
entitled to 4 weeks before and at least 8 weeks
after their confinement, provided they have at
least 12 months’ service.
