Labour inspectors from across Namibia are meeting at Otjiwarongo for a weeklong refresher training workshop. Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Wise Immanuel reminded inspectors of their role in enforcing the Labour Law.

Immanuel says workplace justice is the foundation of a stable economy, and inspectors must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.
He advised the labour inspectors not to be confined only to their offices.

"We are to go into the field and hear what the problems of workers are. We are to show up at ungodly hours at workplaces and ask to see the payslip of the downtrodden. Workers in different places are telling the government, You need to think about the possibilities of rotating labour inspectors and arbitrators and, you know, all those that work in the protection enforcement of the labour law, because there is a perception that they stay too long in a particular place and become friends with their abusive employers."

He said workers should not to suffer under the watch of those who are put in positions to protect them. 

The Executive Director of the Ministry of Labour Relations, Ben Nangombe, says inspectors' mandate is to ensure sound working relations at workplaces.

'It is through your work that the government in general, and the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, are able to safeguard fair labour practices, promote decent work and protect workers from exploitation and unsafe working conditions and, equally importantly, to combat and prevent exploitation of children through child labour."

The labour inspectors are also tasked to ensure employers' compliance with the national minimum wage. 
The workshop aims to ensure consistency and uniformity in the interpretation and enforcement of the Labour Act among all 96 labour inspectors in Namibia.