Politicians Want Free Access to Commercial Farms

Absalom Shigwedha

18 May 2011

THE Ministry of Labour has been asked to amend the Labour Act to allow all elected leaders access to commercial farms to talk to farmworkers.

This request was made yesterday by a Swapo MP in the National Council, Lebbius Tobias, during a debate on unfair labour practices at commercial farms.

He was contributing to the motion in the National Council by Fisheries Deputy Minister Kilus Nguvauva, who is the councillor for the Steinhausen constituency in the Omaheke Region.

Tobias alleged that some commercial farmers in Namibia mistreat their workers and behave as they were still “in the slave era”.

“Commercial farmers in Namibia have a tendency of exploiting farmworkers, behaving as if they were on an exclusive island,” said Tobias.

He accused commercial farmers of not allowing their workers to visit clinics or hospitals when they are sick and depriving their children of education.

They also allegedly do not pay their workers the minimum wage as prescribed by law and do not register them with the Social Security Commission.

“Most farmworkers are not paid on time,” Tobias charged.

He said regional councillors have a duty to listen to the concerns of people in their constituencies.

Tobias also called on the Ministry of Labour to employ more qualified, capable and loyal labour inspectors.

“Labour inspectors are dancing to the tune of the owners of commercial farms, who are mistreating our people,” he said.

In March this year, Nguvauva was allegedly refused entry onto the farm Mooidraai 767 by its owner, Hugo Derks.

Swapo MP Theo Diergaardt, who is also the Deputy Minister of Lands, said it was disturbing that an elected regional councillor was refused entry.

“While I do not promote political interference in employment relations at farms, farmworkers are our electorate and as elected leaders, when called to duty we should act immediately to go and listen to these people’s concern so that we can channel them to the relevant ministry for their intervention,” said Diergaardt.

However, said Diergaardt, he has been informed that labour inspectors are empowered in terms of the Labour Act to enter any premises at any reasonable time to enforce the law, and it would be proper for regional councillors to seek the assistance of a labour inspector when they are confronted with labour-related problems in their constituencies.

Diergaardt proposed that the motion be referred to a committee to investigate and submit a report to the National Council.

Swapo MP Barakias Namwandi said some commercial farmers in the Hardap Region were also refusing regional councillors and even labour inspectors permission to visit their farms.

“They even refuse to attend meetings convened by labour inspectors, aimed at addressing labour issues. It is high time for these farm owners to be warned to stop their bad behaviour or to face the consequences of their actions,” said Namwandi.

Rosalia Shilenga (Swapo) said although the Namibian Constitution outlaws racial discrimination, racism, apartheid and exploitation of farm labourers are rampant at many white-owned farms.

AllAfrica – All the Time