JONAS CALLS FOR TOUGHER ACTION AGAINST WORKPLACE HARASSMENT
Chairperson of the National Assembly Parliamentary Standing Committee on Poverty Eradication, Labour and Industrial Relations, Hon. Justina Jonas, has called on labour inspectors to take firm and decisive action against workplace harassment and other forms of mistreatment of employees.
Jonas made the call during the Committee’s assessment of employment conditions in the Erongo Region, where the delegation encountered an incident at Checkers Waterfront in Swakopmund that raised concerns about how employees are treated in the workplace.
She stressed that labour inspectors should not merely document complaints, but should respond appropriately when workers’ rights and dignity are threatened.
According to Jonas, employees should be able to perform their duties in an environment where they are treated with respect and protected from harassment, intimidation and other unacceptable conduct.
The Committee’s assessment forms part of its broader oversight responsibilities to examine working conditions, labour practices and the implementation of labour-related laws in the country.
Jonas emphasised the importance of stronger enforcement, particularly where employers or supervisors fail to uphold acceptable standards of workplace conduct.
She urged labour inspectors to be more assertive in addressing reported cases and to ensure that appropriate measures are taken against those found to be violating employees’ rights.
The Committee’s intervention comes amid broader concerns about working conditions and compliance with labour regulations across different sectors.
Previous reporting on the Committee’s oversight activities has also highlighted concerns about non-compliance with labour requirements.
Jonas said the protection of workers should remain a priority and that employees should not be expected to tolerate harassment simply because they depend on their jobs.
The Committee’s engagements in the Erongo Region are expected to provide an opportunity to gather information directly from workers and employers, identify challenges affecting labour relations and assess whether existing mechanisms are adequately protecting employees.
The call for tougher action places renewed focus on the role of labour inspectors in enforcing workplace standards and ensuring that workers’ rights are respected.
For employees, the message is clear: workplace harassment should not be normalised or ignored, while employers and those in supervisory positions have a responsibility to maintain a safe, respectful and lawful working environment.
The Committee is expected to use the findings from its regional assessments to inform its recommendations to the National Assembly on measures that could strengthen labour protection and improve working conditions in Namibia.
