The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has recovered N$2 million in unpaid wages and statutory entitlements from non-compliant employers over the past financial year, spanning 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
The ministry said the funds were reclaimed on behalf of employees through its Labour Inspectorate following labour law violations by employers across various sectors.
“The amount collected was part of wage arrears and other statutory entitlements that were unlawfully withheld from employees by their employers across various sectors,” said Ministry Spokesperson Maria Hedimbi.
The recoveries stemmed from 3,317 of the 4,176 labour complaints lodged with the ministry during the period under review.
In response, the ministry conducted 1,739 workplace inspections, revealing that 1,380 employers were compliant, while 353 were found in contravention of labour legislation.
“The Basic Conditions of Employment include remuneration, hours of work, leave days, provision of accommodation and termination of employment as stipulated in Chapter 3 of the Labour Act,” Hedimbi said.
Common complaints received by the ministry included non-payment of remuneration, unpaid overtime, failure to compensate for work performed on Sundays and public holidays, and unauthorised or excessive deductions from employee salaries.
The ministry identified the central region — which includes Windhoek, Gobabis, Rehoboth, Okahandja, Omaruru, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay — as having the highest rate of non-compliance.
“The highest recovery is from the Central region… whereby an amount of N$722,119.43 was collected, while the least amount of N$130,608.00 was collected from the Southern region,” said Hedimbi.
Despite the recoveries, the ministry expressed concern about persistent violations by employers.
“It is worrying that some employers continue to show an unwillingness or failure to meet even the most basic obligations to their workers,” Hedimbi added.
