Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Namibia has ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention 156 on workers with family responsibilities.
The executive director in the ministry of justice and labour relations, Audrin Mathe, announced this over the weekend.
He said Namibia’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) and ambassador to Switzerland, Julia Imene-Chanduru, deposited the instruments of ratification in Geneva last week with ILO director general Gilbert Houngbo.
The convention aims to eradicate discrimination against workers with family responsibilities and foster a work-life balance.
It ensures that men and women aren’t disadvantaged at work due to their obligations to children or other dependents.
Mathe said convention 156, adopted in 1982, applies to workers whose responsibilities for children or immediate family limit their chances of preparing for, entering, or advancing in economic activity.
“The goal is to support workers by encouraging policies that accommodate family needs and protect those balancing work and family life,” he said.
Mathe added that the ratification strengthens protection for workers with family responsibilities by aligning Namibia with international labour standards.
“The ratification of the convention shows that the country plans to follow its rules and will take the needed steps to make sure it is put into practice as part of Namibian law, making it enforceable on its own,” he said.
Mathe clarified that Namibia won’t begin anew, as the Namibian constitution and the Labour Act No. 11 of 2007 already incorporate some of the convention’s principles.
Meanwhile, Imene-Chanduru said the ratification highlights Namibia’s strong dedication to building an inclusive society, ensuring that both men and women are given equal opportunities to participate in the labour market, especially those who care for their families.
