Observer Money – Page 234

26 Jun

Govt tourism plans unlikely

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, president Hage Geingob, tourism

...as Health ministry insist on 14 day quarantine Andrew Kathindi Government’s touted plan to revive the tourism industry could be dead in the water before it has gotten off the ground after it has emerged that its requirements may be too strict. This comes after President Hage Geingob announced that part of Namibia’s stage 4 regulations, government will conduct a targeted International Tourism revival initiative between 15 July to 15 August 2020, in collaboration with the tourism sector. Parts of the proposed measures include keeping tourists in a quarantine facility for two weeks at their own risk and cost, after…

25 Jun

SSC pays N$22m under stimulus

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneySocial Security Commission (SSC)

…as 4,000 applications are rejected Staff Writer The Social Security Commission (SSC) says it has paid over N$22 million to 6,000 employees whose jobs and incomes were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic under its stimulus package. This comes as the commissions received 16,000 applicants of which 4,000 have been rejected and 6,000 are currently undergoing verification. Quizzed on the high number of rejections, SSC’s Senior Manager: Communications & Marketing, Unomengi Kauapirura said, “the applications were rejected for various reasons including that the employee’s salary may not have been impacted on and thus the employees is still receiving their full salary…

25 Jun

NCCI welcomes easing of restrictions

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyNamibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), NCCI, NCCI President Sven Thieme, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) says the easing of lock down measures as the country moves to stage 4 as announced by President Hage Geingob on Monday will allow the local economy and businesses to begin to recover. “It is with great relief that we can welcome the start of our society’s reopening, in the wake of this unprecedented economic lockdown. As we take our first steps along the road to economic recovery, we should be immensely grateful for the efforts by Government and particularly of all those who continue to work so hard to…

25 Jun

Abortion debate enters Parliament

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAbortion, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Muinjangue, Parliament

Andrew Kathindi As the debate on the issue of abortion continues to gain momentum, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Muinjangue, has said while she is personally not for abortion, she intends to raise the matter for discussion and debate in the house tomorrow (Thursday). “For me, I have my own personal values that may not be my professional values. I would not go for abortion, but we are also in an era where human rights are being highlighted. Because this is also a woman’s body, let the women have a voice and take a decision as to…

24 Jun

Govt, NTTU clash over taxi fares

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyJohn Mutorwa, Minister of Works and Transport, Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU)

Andrew Kathindi Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) has rejected government’s dismissal of its call to have the 15 percent taxi fare hike made permanent. Taxi fares were increased to the current N$14 from N$12 as part of government efforts to cushion the taxi sector during the state of emergency as they are no longer allowed to carry their full load. In agreeing to the increase, Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, informed the NTTU that government was not going to indulge in discussions over the increment becoming permanent because the 15 percent increment had been approved as a…

24 Jun

Floodgate for job loses opens

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyHigh Court, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer The Tuesday High Court ruling in favour of employers, which declared parts of two proclamations issued by President Hage Geingob relating to the suspension of the Labour Act and also parts of the Covid-19 state of emergency regulations as unconstitutional, could spell trouble for workers. According to the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), the development will not auger well for workers who had found some form of job and remuneration protection under the government regulations. “The concern is that their aim is to pay workers less, cut salaries and take away leaves days but we won’t tolerate…

22 Jun

German Embassy contributes to Covid-19 fight

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, German Embassy, Gobabis, Okahandja, Witvlei

Staff Writer As part of its projects to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the German Embassy will support families in need in the areas of Gobabis, Witvlei and Okahandja and a total of approximately N$ 99,600 (EUR 5,000.00) from the Embassy’s micro project fund will be made available as an immediate measure to purchase food packages. The packages include staple foods and will be distributed to the community members by the German Evangelical Lutheran Association of Okahandja-Gobabis (ELCIN - GELC) in cooperation with the Okahandja Community Forum. The Okahandja Community Forum is a civil organization in Okahandja that…

22 Jun

Uutoni summons council over Kanime

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek (CoW), City Police Chief Abraham Kanime, Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni

Staff Writer The entire City of Windhoek (CoW) council was on Monday summoned to an urgent meeting with Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni to discuss developments at the local authority. Among issues discussed was the contentious reappointment of City Police Chief Abraham Kanime. In his letter requesting the urgent meeting, the minister said, “This communique serves to inform your good office that I would like to have an urgent meeting with the entire Council of the City of Windhoek to consult on the developments at the City of Windhoek. I request that you provide me as soon as…

22 Jun

Govt plans tourism initiative

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyGitta Paetzold, Hospitality Association of Namibia's (HAN), Tourism and Hospitality

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob on Monday that government in collaboration with the Tourism and Hospitality sector will conduct a targeted International Tourism revival initiative from 15 July to 15 August 2020. “This initiative will look to accommodate a limited number of tourists, who will be determined in consultation with the private sector, from a carefully selected low risk market that has potential to contribute towards our tourism sector that employs over 100,000 Namibians. Modalities for this initiative will be announced in coming weeks and this trial will inform and strengthen public sector preparations for the imminent reopening of Points…

22 Jun

President bows to union pressure

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO), Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU), Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN), tudents Union of Namibia (SUN)

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob on Monday bowed to the demands of teacher and student unions when he announced the resumption of face-to-face classes for Pre-Primary students will be postponed for 14 days in all regions. The President’s decision comes after some unions called on the government to suspend the resumption of face-to-face teaching following confirmation of the first COVID-19 positive learner. The 20-year old Mariental secondary school learner, who is a resident of Walvis Bay, became Namibia’s 37th case and gave rise to the decision to suspend face-to-face teaching at the school. The 14 day suspension of in-school learning…