The Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA), Mahongora Kavihuha, has voiced concerns regarding the recent merger of the Ministries of Justice and Labour. 

Kavihuha stressed the importance of engaging in social dialogue, urging the government to reconsider this merger, as it fundamentally alters the scope and functions of the Labour Ministry.

According to Kavihuha, the term "labour" encompasses a broad spectrum of issues that cannot be confined to the narrow concept of "labour relations." 

He pointed out that the postfix "relations" does not adequately capture the full range of challenges and responsibilities that the Ministry of Labour traditionally addresses. 

This shift, he argued, could weaken the impact of the ministry's focus on critical labour-related issues.

"Even the name that was given to the new ministry, the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, is a misnomer. Labour is not about relationships; it's broader than the relationship. It is not solely concerned with labour relations; it is a much wider and broader mandate."

In addition to the concerns over the merger, Kavihuha expressed reservations about the upcoming national budget, set to be tabled this week. 

He questioned whether the budget would be pro-employment.

"Whether it will be a pro-employment budget or not, we as the labour movement have been saying to the government to have a pro-employment budgeting process, and we are going to learn from it, and it's very important."

Kavihuha also made it clear that the union would not back down on its stance, warning that any intended changes to the Ministry of Labour would be "non-negotiable".

He asserted that the union would adopt an aggressive approach to safeguard the interests of workers in the country and called on the President to reconsider the restructuring of the ministry.

"Labour can not be an afterthought – workers are the backbone of this economy. We need a strong Ministry of Labour that promotes all pillars of the decent work agenda: employment promotion, social dialogue, social protection, living wages, rights and social justice for all."