The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation of Namibia has made it mandatory for companies with more than 10 employees to list their job vacancies with the ministry. Employers who fail to comply with this requirement will face legal consequences.
The 2011 Employment Services Act
The change in threshold requirements was made in consultation with the Employment Service Board (ESB) and was published in the Government Gazette of Namibia on September 30, 2022. Employers who employ 10 or more employees are now considered “Designated Employers” and are required to comply with the provisions of Part 3 of the Employment Services Act, 2011 (Act No. 8 of 2011) as of September 30, 2023.
Reasons for these changes
This new requirement will allow the Ministry to connect employers with job seekers through the Namibia Integrated Employment Information System (NIEIS), which collects, stores, and updates information about job seekers, vacancies in the labor market, specialized skills and qualifications possessed by Namibian citizens and permanent residents, and employers in Namibia. Additionally, Designated Employers are also required to submit profiles of their establishments on an annual basis.
Acting Executive Director Otniel Podewiltz explained that the change in threshold is intended to promote inclusivity and extend opportunities to the informal sector, which forms a large part of the Namibian labor force. The new requirement is also expected to maximize employment opportunities for job seekers. Podewiltz also stated that last year, the Ministry registered 494 Designated Employers and placed 2200 job seekers in various establishments across all sectors of the economy.
Failure to comply
Employers who violate this requirement will face fines of up to N520,000.00 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
