Numerous establishments have been found in violation of the Labour Act during the oversight visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Poverty Eradication, Labour and Industrial Relations, particularly focused on the retail and wholesale sector in the Zambezi region.
Senior Labour Inspector Richard Mushaukwa is the only officer in the region.
He informed the committee that since he assumed the position in April 2026, he only started doing inspections in June after training from his supervisor, who is based in Kavango West Region.
“I’m the only labour inspector covering the area from Impalila to Bwabwata. I am the only labour inspector attending to complaints at the office, conducting inspections, and handling other administrative tasks. I am the only one. That is why it is sometimes very difficult for me to meet my targets. In terms of resources, I think the main challenge is human resources. Otherwise, when it comes to vehicles, I don’t think that is a major challenge. The main problem is human resources; it is a very big challenge.”
Mushaukwa said that during his inspections, he found that most Chinese employers are not complying with the minimum wage requirements, working hours and contract of employment.
He also added that he had not issued any compliance orders, only awareness to the employers.
Committee chairperson Justine Jonas explained.
“It is a serious and very urgent concern that requires immediate attention. I believe the committee deliberated on the matter and put an action plan in place on how we are going to reach out to the Minister of Justice and Labour so that the matter can be addressed. So far, we have visited about six establishments, and of those six, only two are partially complying with all the relevant laws I mentioned earlier. It is a concern, and in some establishments, you are told, ‘I did not provide them with a pension fund because they are still young; they must wait.’ Such comments are quite concerning.”
The committee directed the sole labour inspector to investigate and issue compliance orders where necessary to ensure that the prescribed law is carried out.