Namibia’s Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation says the new entry-level minimum wage for the agricultural sector announced by the Namibia Agricultural Labour Forum (Nalf) is only binding to members of parties to the collective agreement.
In a statement issued by acting executive director Lydia Indombo, the ministry said the new minimum wage can only be binding to the entire agricultural sector if parties to the collective agreement ask the minister “in a prescribed manner to extend it to the entire sector”.
The forum on Monday announced a 10% increase in the minimum wage in the agricultural sector, effective from 1 October. According to a statement issued by the Agricultural Employers’ Association (AEA) on behalf of the forum, the minimum cash wage increases to N$6 per hour, or N$1 170 per month, for workers who work 45 hours per week.
The acting executive director said the ministry will ensure that this minimum wage becomes sectorally binding if parties to the agreement are willing to ask the minister to extend it to the entire sector, and that the submission is done in fulfilment of sections of the provisions of the Labour Act.
Source: namibian.com.na