Swanu of Namibia

Advocating for Fair Employment Conditions for Namibia’s Uniformed Personnel

A critical motion was tabled to address the challenging employment conditions faced by all uniformed personnel services in Namibia, including the Namibian Police Force, Namibia Correctional Services, and the Namibia Defense Forces. SWANU of Namibia emphasizes that these officers are workers who deserve fair remuneration for their labor and time.

The motion highlights several pressing issues:

• Concentration of Power: There is an over-concentration of power in the hands of individuals like the Inspector General or Commissioner General, which leads to arbitrary decisions regarding transfers, forcing personnel to bear double housing burdens. Disciplinary procedures are also seen as arbitrary, with the Commissioner General appointing committees, charging employees, and presiding over appeals.
• Lack of Fair Promotion System: A fair and objective performance appraisal system for promotions is absent, with ultimate decisions resting solely with the Commissioner General. This can lead to situations where less experienced individuals are promoted over more deserving ones, impacting morale.
• Exclusion from Labour Act: A significant concern is that the Labour Act does not apply to uniformed personnel, denying them basic rights such as negotiating their conditions of service or being paid overtime, even when working long hours. This also means they are not legally recognized as employees despite meeting all the requirements.
• Restrictions on Trade Unions: While regulations under the Police Act suggest a provision for joining trade unions with authorization from the Inspector General, such authorization is rarely granted. The Inspector General has cited reasons such as trade unions being “political bodies” that could compromise impartiality and national security. This stance is seen as a mischaracterization of trade unions and a violation of officers’ rights.
• Poor Working Conditions: Uniformed personnel often work under harsh conditions, putting their lives at risk daily to protect the public. They face low salaries, lack of overtime pay, no danger or night shift allowances, inadequate housing or car allowances, and arbitrary or constructive dismissals.
• Workplace Tyranny and Fear: The motion describes a “workplace tyranny” that inflicts suffering, with officers being afraid to fight for their rights due to fear of persecution, intimidation, and unfair dismissal. There have also been complaints about demands for sexual favors for career advancement.

This motion is not an indictment but an urgent call to action to improve the working conditions of these vital workers. The aim is to bring justice to the members of the Police Force and other uniformed services who have long suffered in silence. The motion has been moved for debate and adoption, with a referral to the relevant Parliamentary Standing Committee.