The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has launched a nationwide campaign to help employers and employees understand the national minimum wage (NMW), set last year at N$18 per hour.
The launch took place on Thursday in Windhoek.
The ministry’s deputy executive director, Aune Mudjanima, said the educational materials were developed with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to provide clear and reliable information.
She said access to information helps workers and employers make informed decisions and improves compliance with labour laws.
Mudjanima said the materials explain what the minimum wage entails, how it should be applied and the responsibilities of both parties. She said they are also designed to minimise disputes and improve social dialogue at workplaces.
According to her, the NMW was introduced to promote decent work and ensure every worker receives fair and lawful compensation.
The next phase of implementation starts on 1 January 2026. Domestic workers, agricultural workers and security guards will begin a three-year wage adjustment process.
Their new hourly rates will be N$15 for domestic workers, N$14 for agricultural workers and N$16 for security guards.
Mudjanima said the ministry will continue working with social partners to support full compliance. She said the success of the minimum wage relies on transparency, collaboration and continuous engagement across the labour market.
Mudjanima said the ministry, together with the Ministry of Finance, has issued a directive instructing all public entities to award procurement contracts only to bidders who comply with the Labour Act and the NMW order.
She said this measure promotes fair competition, protects workers’ rights and strengthens the credibility of the wage system.
The campaign will distribute brochures, printed materials, TV and radio adverts, and QR codes for wage calculators and outreach programmes across the country.
The NMW aims to protect employees from exploitation and support a decent living standard.
Last year, the government set the NMW at N$18 per hour for all workers except domestic and agricultural workers, whose wages will increase gradually until they reach N$18 per hour.
Security guards received a revised rate of N$13.50 per hour, confirmed by the Namibia Security Labour Forum and the Security Association of Namibia after an agreement signed in December and gazetted in January.
Farmers in the Omaheke region raised concerns in October, saying the updated wage requirements place pressure on the farming sector, especially in rural areas.
Under the current order, domestic workers earn N$12 per hour and agricultural workers earn N$10 per hour. Both categories will move to N$14 per hour in January 2026 and N$18 per hour in January 2027.
Caption
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations unveiled the national minimum wage educational campaign during a launch event in Windhoek on Thursday.
Photo: Contributed
