Launch of Equal Opportunities in the Workplace booklet
The British High Commission and the Legal Assistance Centre launched a pamphlet entitled Encouraging Equal Opportunities in Namibia.
Graham Hopwood, director IPPR, Brilliant Mabhena, Insight Namibia Magazine, Rachel Coomer, Gender Research & Advocacy Project, Legal Assistance Centre, HE Jo Lomas, British High Commissioner, Emma-Kantema Gaomas, Acting Executive Officer, Social Security Commission
On Thursday, 11 February 2016, the British High Commission and the Legal Assistance Centre Namibia launched a pamphlet entitled Encouraging Equal Opportunities in Namibia. The pamphlet provides an overview of the requirements of Namibia’s labour laws to advance gender equality.
The pamphlet summarises provisions from the Labour Act 9 of 2007, the Foreign Investments Act 27 of 1990, the Co-operatives Act 23 of 1996, and the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act 29 of 1998. The pamphlet provides ideas on how an employer can put the provisions into meaningful practice and gives suggestions on how to go beyond the basic provisions to encourage real and practical change that will encourage equal opportunities in the workplace.
The pamphlet is intended for employers and employees alike and it is hoped that the information, now provided in a simple and accessible form, is utilised by many workplaces to encourage positive change in the employment environment in Namibia.
HE Jo Lomas, British High Commissioner to Namibia, stated at the launch: “The Namibian constitution requires equality in the workplace. But just as we see in the UK, how employers put this into practice and how they cultivate the right workplace culture, varies considerably. This pamphlet aims to support employers to create a truly equal and diverse workplace.”
At the occasion, Women Solidarity director, Rosa Namises, stressed: “Women should work more together, put the voice out there, to achieve change and make equal opportunities a reality. The pamphlet we have launched today is therefore a very welcome tool in achieving equal opportunity at the workplace.”
Graham Hopwood, Executive Director, Institute for Public Policy Research, said: “It would be good to see some of Namibia’s leading companies adopt some of the ideas in this pamphlet on equality in the workplace and actively promoting family-friendly workplace policies. Companies should set out to adopt best practices in this area. Umbrella organisations like commerce and industry bodies can also promote the suggestions in the pamphlet to their members.”
The pamphlet is available at the offices of the British High Commission and the LAC website