President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for the accelerated finalisation of Namibia’s Occupational Health and Safety Bill, saying stronger workplace protections are needed to safeguard mine workers and other employees exposed to hazardous working conditions.
Speaking at the opening of the 13th Chamber of Mines Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek on Wednesday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said occupational health and safety must remain a priority across the mining sector, including for small-scale miners.
She warned that mining operations expose workers to hazardous environments and harmful substances that can have long-term health consequences.
“The safety and wellness of employees in the mining sector, including small-scale miners, should never be compromised. Mining activities and operations, by their nature, could be dangerous and expose employees to harmful chemicals, some of which may have long-term health effects,” she said.
The President urged government, employers and other stakeholders to work together to fast-track the Occupational Health and Safety Bill while expanding access to occupational health services across the country.
“Together, we must work hard to accelerate the finalisation of the Occupational Health and Safety Bill. All of us have to embrace the establishment of occupational health and safety centres across the country. This will ensure that employees, even those operating in the informal sector, have access to these services,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also called on mining companies to introduce post-retirement medical schemes to support workers who develop occupational diseases or retire with injuries sustained during their careers.
“In addition, I implore stakeholders in the mining sector to put in place post-retirement medical schemes to support employees who retire with injuries and those whose illnesses may manifest themselves long after retirement,” she said.
She said such measures would ensure workers continue receiving medical support after leaving employment while complementing efforts to establish a national health scheme.
“This will ensure that workers are cared for even after their retirement. We can also work together to establish a national health scheme that can take care of us throughout our lifetime,” she said.
The Occupational Health and Safety Bill is intended to modernise Namibia’s workplace safety legislation by strengthening employer responsibilities and expanding protections for workers.
The proposed legislation also provides for the establishment of a National Occupational Safety and Health Commission and introduces clearer provisions on workplace inspections, incident reporting and enforcement.
The draft Bill reached a key milestone in May 2025 when stakeholders validated the revised legislation following consultations in six regions and public submissions. It is expected to proceed to the Labour Advisory Council and then the Attorney General before advancing through the remaining stages of the legislative approval process.
